Table of Contents
- What is MoistureSeal technology?
- Night driving in mind
- Powers, availability, and more
- Does Ultra have a contact lens for astigmatism?
- Does Ultra have a contact lens for presbyopia?
- Does Ultra have a contact lens for astigmatism and presbyopia?
- What people are saying…
- Is Bausch + Lomb Ultra right for you?
- How much does Bausch + Lomb Ultra cost?
- Final thoughts
Do you spend several hours of your day looking at a computer screen and want a contact lens that can keep up with your digital life? If so, you should try Bausch + Lomb’s Ultra contact lens.
Bausch + Lomb Ultra was first released to the US market in 2014. Fast forward to today and this comfortable monthly replacement contact lens has 4 different designs in its portfolio (including the new Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism)! In this article, I’ll review Bausch + Lomb’s Ultra family of contacts, including the pros and cons of wearing these lenses.
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What is MoistureSeal technology?
As mentioned before, this lens is designed with digital device users in mind! When you look at a screen, you blink 66% less than you do normally. Unfortunately, this can cause your contacts to dry out. Bausch + Lomb recognized this problem and responded by creating a contact lens with extreme comfort by incorporating MoistureSeal technology.
MoistureSeal technology is a proprietary technology that retains moisture and makes the surface of the Ultra contact lens highly wettable. It’s created via a two-phase manufacturing process. Phase 1 produces a unique silicone material that is highly breathable. Phase 2 is where a wetting agent called PVP is embedded through the lens as well as on the surface.
The result is a lens that maintains 95% of its moisture for 16 hours! According to Bausch + Lomb, 9 out of 10 patients agree that Ultra helps relieve their eyes from feeling dry and tired after a long day of looking at digital devices.
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Night driving in mind
Another benefit of this contact lens is the visual clarity it provides. Ultra contacts are designed with aspheric optics. The design helps reduce halo and glare (i.e. spherical aberrations), meaning your vision will be better in low light situations, including night driving.
Powers, availability, and more
Ultra is a one-month replacement contact lens. This means you throw it away after one month of opening. Furthermore, it comes in a range of powers from -12.00 to +6.00 so it will fit a large range of contact lens wearers.
When fit with Ultra contact lenses by your eye care provider, you’ll receive a trial lens that is good for one month. Bausch + Lomb actually has a certificate for a free trial that you can print out and show your eye doctor.
Once your prescription is finalized, you can purchase these contacts in either a 6 month supply or a year supply. There is also a rewards program that you might be eligible. Ask your eye care provider for more information on this.
Also, Ultra contacts are FDA approved for extended wear. This means you can sleep in the lens up to 6 nights in a row (although I don’t recommend this).
Note: I recommend taking out Ultra contacts every night and storing them in Biotrue, RevitaLens, or Opti-free Pure Moist contact lens solution. However, if you’re experiencing depositing or contact lens build-up, consider Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfection Solution. For more information on contact lens solutions, check out our complete guide!
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Does Ultra have a contact lens for astigmatism?
Yes! Released to the US market in 2017, Ultra for Astigmatism is a great option if you have enough astigmatism to be corrected in a contact lens. This lens has what is known as an OpticAlign Design, providing you with excellent lens stability on the eye and minimal rotation. Furthermore, the lens implies spherical aberration control, helps decrease nighttime glare and halos.
Contact lens movement is particularly important when talking about contacts for astigmatism. If a lens has excessive lens movement, your vision will not remain clear as you blink. According to Bausch + Lomb, Ultra for Astigmatism boasts 5 degrees or less rotation in 94% of patients.
Furthermore, Ultra for Astigmatism has a prominent orientation marker to help with putting the lens in and is available as a -2.75 cyl option, which is higher than most standard monthly contacts. As a result, even patients with large amounts of astigmatism can successfully wear this lens.
Does Ultra have a contact lens for presbyopia?
Yes! Released to the US market in 2016, Ultra for Presbyopia is a multifocal contact lens with a 3-Zone Progressive Design. This means it provides you with seamless vision at distance, intermediate, and near.
For presbyopia contact lenses to work well, they need to stay hydrated and have excellent optics. Ultra for Presbyopia has both of these! It has the MoistureSeal technology to maintain maximum hydration through the day and center-near aspheric optics to provide you with exceptional clarity.
Does Ultra have a contact lens for astigmatism and presbyopia?
Yes! Brand new to the Ultra family of lenses is Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism. Released to the US market in 2019, this lens is truly one of a kind. It’s now available as a standard offering at most eye doctor’s offices and corrects for both astigmatism AND presbyopia.
Designed on the backbone of Ultra for Astigmatism and Ultra for Presbyopia, this lens corrects distance, intermediate, and near vision as well as astigmatism. Release in June of 2019, it’s already creating a lot of buzz in the eye care industry!
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What people are saying…
From Bausch + Lomb
- With MoistureSeal technology, the lens maintains 95% of its moisture for a full 16 hours.
- 9 out of 10 patients agree it’s as comfortable at the end of the day as it is in the beginning.
- These lenses have an aspheric optical design to reduce inherent and induced spherical aberration.
Is Bausch + Lomb Ultra right for you?
Pros
- It has a wide range of powers so it can accommodate most prescriptions.
- It is extremely comfortable and is designed for digital device users. In fact, 9 out of 10 patients agree that Bausch + Lomb Ultra contact lenses help relieve their eyes from feeling dry and tired after a long day of looking at digital devices.
- Available in a complete family of lenses (i.e. nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, multifocal, and multifocal for astigmatism).
Cons
- Is a one-month replacement lens which requires cleaning, storage, and the purchasing of contact lens solution.
- It can be more expensive if you end up ripping a lens.
How much does Bausch + Lomb Ultra cost?
The best place to look is at your eye doctor’s office. However, if you’re looking to price things out from home, consider checking out contact lens retailers online. Right now suggested retail for a box of 6 lenses is as follows:
- Ultra – $58
- Ultra for Astigmatism – $70
- Ultra for Presbyopia – $87
- Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism – $120
Final thoughts
Overall, this is a fantastic contact lens option! It provides excellent comfort at an affordable price point. Plus, it has a complete family of lenses (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, multifocal, and multifocal for astigmatism) that can accommodate most visual needs.
Lastly, these lenses are risk-free! If you buy boxes of Ultra and feel like they are not for you, you have 90 days from your date of purchase to return them, even if the boxes are opened. That is how confident Bausch + Lomb is that you will love the lenses!
Personally, I prefer fitting patients in daily contacts. However, there are certainly patients who do not want a daily lens or can’t wear one. With this in mind, Ultra is a great option given the great breathability of the lens and the all-day comfort.
Interested in trying out Ultra contact lenses? Make sure to schedule an appointment with your local eye care professional today!
What do you think of Bausch + Lomb Ultra? Leave your review in the comments below!
Bausch + Lomb Ultra Review
Overall
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Cost
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Comfort
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Health & Safety
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Vision
Summary
Bausch + Lomb Ultra is a fantastic contact lens option! It provides excellent comfort at an affordable price point. Plus, it has a complete family of lenses (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, multifocal, and multifocal for astigmatism) that can accommodate most visual needs.
Pros
- Has a wide range of powers so it can accommodate most prescriptions.
- Is extremely comfortable and is designed for digital device users. In fact, 9 out of 10 patients agree that Bausch + Lomb Ultra contact lenses help relieve their eyes from feeling dry and tired after a long day of looking at digital devices.
- Available in a complete family of lenses (i.e. nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, multifocal, and multifocal for astigmatism).
Cons
- Is a one-month replacement lens which requires cleaning, storage, and the purchasing of contact lens solution.
- Can be more expensive if you end up ripping a lens.
| Ultra | Ultra for Astigmatism | Ultra for Presbyopia | Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of US market release | 2014 | 2017 | 2016 | 2019 |
| Base curve (i.e. curvature of the contact lens) | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.6 |
| Diameter (i.e. width of the contact lens) | 14.2 | 14.5 | 14.2 | 14.5 |
| Powers | +6.00D to -12.00D • +0.25D to +6.00D (in 0.25D steps) • -0.25D to -6.00D (in 0.25D steps) • -6.50D to -12.00D (in 0.50D steps) | +6.00D to -9.00D • +0.25D to +6.00D (in 0.25D steps) • -0.25D to -6.00D (in 0.25D steps) • -6.50D to -9.00D (in 0.50D steps) | +6.00D to -10.00D in 0.25D steps (including plano) | +4.00D to -6.00D • +0.25D to +4.00D (in 0.25D steps) • -0.25D to -6.00D (in 0.25D steps) |
| Cylinder | n/a | -0.75, -1.25, -1.75, -2.25, -2.75 | n/a | -0.75, -1.25, -1.75 |
| Axis | n/a | 10° to 180° (in 10° steps) | n/a | 10° to 180° (in 10° steps) |
| Add powers | n/a | n/a | Low (+0.75 to +1.25 spectacle add) and High (+1.50 to +2.50 spectacle add) | Low (+0.75 to +1.25 spectacle add) and High (+1.50 to +2.50 spectacle add) |
| Handling tint | Light blue | Light blue | Light blue | Light blue |
| Material | samfilcon A (silicone hydrogel) | samfilcon A (silicone hydrogel) | samfilcon A (silicone hydrogel) | samfilcon A (silicone hydrogel) |
| Water content | 46% | 46% | 46% | 46% |
| Dk/t (i.e. oxygen transmissibility) | 163 @ -3.00 | 114 @ -3.00 | 163 @ -3.00 | 114 @ -3.00 |
| Modulus (i.e. stiffness) | 0.7 MPa | 0.7 MPa | 0.7 MPa | 0.7 MPa |
| Center thickness | 0.07 mm @ -3.00 | 0.1 mm @ -3.00 | 0.07 mm @ -3.00 | 0.1 mm @ -3.00 |
| Technology | MoistureSeal Technology, aspheric optics | MoistureSeal Technology, OpticAlign Design, aspheric optics | MoistureSeal Technology, 3-Zone Progressive, center-near aspheric optics | MoistureSeal Technology, OpticAlign Design, 3-Zone Progressive, center-near aspheric optics |
| Wear type | Daily wear | Daily wear | Daily wear | Daily wear |
| Replacement schedule | One month (i.e. throw away at the end of one month) | One month (i.e. throw away at the end of one month) | One month (i.e. throw away at the end of one month) | One month (i.e. throw away at the end of one month) |
| Trials | Single lenses | Single lenses | Single lenses | Single lenses |
| Available for purchase | 6 lenses per a box | 6 lenses per a box | 6 lenses per a box | 6 lenses per a box |
| Approved to be slept in? | Yes (6 nights in a row) | Yes (6 nights in a row) | Yes (6 nights in a row) | Yes (6 nights in a row) |
| Inside out markings? | No | No | No | No |
| Rebate available? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UV protection? | No | No | No | No |
Sources:
Bausch + Lomb needs more cylinder strength in new Ultra Mutifocal for Astigmatism Lenses.
Unfortunately for me (and many others with “true” astigmatism, B+L Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism only offers three cylinder options (-0.75, -1.25, and -1.75). My cylinder is -2.25 in my left eye. I was excited to try this product even if I had to buy a whole pack and spend the money. In my opinion, the only folks that are going to outlast the period of transition and any discomfort are those with true astigmatism! Hopefully B+L will expand the options for us.
Originally, I was given a sample of Proclear Multifocal Toric lenses from my doctor. When I opened the packages, I noticed that one of the lenses was already ripped before I even touched it. I found B+L’s big announcement while reading about the only other brand that offers this dual product — the flimsy Proclear brand that don’t last the month they claim to be (monthly). Guess I’ll just have to buck up…because it’s just that important to me to have both mutlifocal and astigmatism corrections in a contact lense. Here’s hoping B+L doesn’t assume low demand and discontinue this product. You’re marketing to the wrong prescriptions, B+L!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (4) No
Thank you for your feedback, Lisa. While a -2.25 cyl option would be nice, a -1.75 cyl contact lens might do the trick. In fact, I’ve fit a number of patients with -2.25 cyl in this lens and have had great success. Best of luck and keep us posted on your results!
Unsure of any benefit with ultras
Switched from Pure Vision 2 and found them to be just about as comfortable with the exception that if you need to readjust either lens in your eye with your finger, they stick to your eye and barely move. There is also a feeling of dryness after an hour of wearing them that comes and goes. I can’t say for certain if these are better, worse or the same compared to the Pure Vision 2’s other than the material it is made out of and the higher oxygen and water content.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (1) No
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Filminess of contact lenses
Has anyone else complained that after approximately two weeks, a “film” covers the lens and the lenses need to be disposed? That “film” stays on my eyes for 2-3 hours after taking them out. It’s frustrating as well as expensive. Am using Clear Care at night and saline before inserting in my eyes. Started Restasis the same time as these new lenses and I wait at least an hour from Restasis drops before putting lenses in my eyes.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No