If you’re looking for affordable contact lenses, you might be considering the SofLens brand.
Many buyers find these contacts comfortable and convenient. However, they’re not always a good fit for everyone.
I’ll walk through what SofLens contacts are and how to decide if they’re right for you.
At a Glance
- SofLens are traditional hydrogel contact lenses, not the newer and more popular silicone hydrogel variety.
- They may not be the best choice for people with dry eyes or those who need to wear contacts for long periods.
- However, some wearers do find them very comfortable and appreciate the relatively low cost.
- SofLens options include single vision, multifocal, and toric lenses for astigmatism (without Plus Powers).
The History of SofLens
Bausch & Lomb launched SofLens in 1971. It was the first mass-produced soft contact lens in the United States. The contacts were made from polymacon, a conventional hydrogel material.
Conventional hydrogel lenses became widely used throughout the late 20th century. Silicone hydrogel technology emerged later, as Bausch & Lomb’s PureVision lens received FDA approval in 1999.
Silicone hydrogel materials were designed to allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than conventional hydrogel materials. This helped address one of the big limitations of earlier soft contact lenses.
Today, silicone hydrogel materials are widely used in soft contact lenses, but conventional hydrogel lenses such as SofLens 38 remain available. There are some devotees who have happily stuck with them. We’ll look through some reviews from customers later in the article!
What SofLens Options Are Available?
There are a few different options for SofLens. This includes:
- SofLens 38: A reusable biweekly contact lens option.
- SofLens 1 Day: Daily disposable contact lenses.
- SofLens Toric for Astigmatism: A biweekly contact option for astigmatism. Note that these lenses have been discontinued for farsightedness. However, contacts for nearsightedness are still available.
- SofLens Multi-Focal: A biweekly contact option that corrects vision at near, intermediate, and far distances.
What Are the Benefits and Downsides of SofLens?
For many wearers, the biggest draw of SofLens is the price. These lenses are typically less expensive than silicone hydrogel options. This makes them a potential choice for anyone looking to keep costs down.
Comfort is another benefit. Silicone hydrogel lenses tend to be the more popular choice overall, thanks to the typically better moisture retention and breathability. But some SofLens wearers actually prefer the feel of traditional hydrogel. Because the material is softer and less stiff, it can mold to the shape of the eye more easily.
That said, SofLens isn’t the right fit for everyone. Conventional hydrogel lenses allow less oxygen to reach the cornea than silicone hydrogel lenses. If you need to wear contacts for long periods, ask your eye-care professional if silicone hydrogel lenses would be better for you.
Dry eyes can also be a sticking point. The lower breathability and moisture retention that come with traditional hydrogel can make SofLens less comfortable for people who already struggle with dryness. Although, again, some wearers report the reverse, finding that silicone hydrogel actually dries their eyes out more.
Prescription availability is another limitation to keep in mind. SofLens Toric, the option for astigmatism, no longer comes in Plus Powers, so wearers who need those will have to look elsewhere.
What Do Real SofLens Buyers Think?
Now, let’s see what some verified EZContacts buyers have to say about SofLens. We’ll look at SofLens 38 contacts and SofLens daily disposable contacts.
SofLens 38
On EZContacts, SofLens 38 has a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews, with a wide variety of opinions expressed in the reviews. Let’s start with the good reviews.
Pamela G. said she liked SofLens so much that she’s worn these contacts for years:
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“I have worn these type of contacts for years. They have worked well for me. I like the speedy delivery that easy contacts did for me for my contacts. I will more than likely order again from easy contacts.”
A reviewer who goes by Jimbo also praised SofLens, but recommended them only for people who are experienced at inserting and removing contacts.
Great for experienced wearers
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“These contacts are fantastic and at a great price. The only minor con is that they are so soft and moist that an inexperienced wearer may have difficulty taking them in and out. Mishandled they can fold over easy and become difficult to open back to normal. Someone not being careful could easily ruin a contact. However, If you are careful and experienced they are the best for the price.“
However, a reviewer named Mitch, who had been using Biofinity contacts (a silicone hydrogel option), gave SofLens a try and was a bit disappointed, noting they were too soft and dried out easily.
Tough price to beat
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“I was wearing the bioinfinities but decided to give these a try since they are so much cheaper. I have been wearing these for 3 days now and I am a bit disappointed. First thing is that they are unreal soft. They fold and stick much more than other contacts I have worn. Second they dry out extremely easy. I have a hard time wearing these for a full day. I’m going to try and make it through this box but I’ll bee moving on to trying another cheap set of lenses.”
Amanda B. also had trouble with the lenses sticking together.
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“I got my contacts and opened a pair. And one was stuck together and when I tried to pulled the contract apart it ripped. Didn’t get to wear it had to open a another one…I have ordered before a couple time and had no Issue.”
SofLens 1 Day Contacts
Now, let’s take a look at SofLens daily disposables. These contacts have a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from 12 reviewers. Michelle M. was very happy with the contacts:
Happy finally
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“I’ve tried a lot of different, very expensive, contacts and these are the only ones so far that haven’t bothered my eyes. I have bad allergies and very dry eyes, so I am shocked that these cheap contacts don’t bother me.”
Kimberley R. said they were comfy overall:
Comfy fit
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“These contacts are most comfortable, you forget they are in. I will continue to purchase this brand, always.”
However, Becky T. wasn’t as big a fan, and she noted the contacts tended to pop out:
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“I like the idea of having fresh contacts daily. These contacts are really hard to get in. They pop out every time. I dont have this problem with my monthly contacts. I dont know what the difference is.”
As you can see, reviewers had a wide variety of experiences with SofLens. If you’re interested in trying these lenses, reach out to your eye doctor.
FAQs
Can I reuse SofLens daily disposable contacts?
No, daily disposable contacts are for single-use wear. You’ll want to throw them out after you remove them at the end of the day.
I like the SofLens price, but my eyes feel better with silicone hydrogel contact lenses. What is the most affordable option for silicone hydrogel lenses?
I would consider Biofinity or AIR OPTIX. Both of these brands have monthly contacts with several affordable options made with silicone hydrogel technology.
