You’ve probably heard the saying that nothing lasts forever — and that’s very much true in the contact lens industry. Sometimes a lens style reaches the end of its life and the time comes for the manufacturer to discontinue production. Although lenses can be discontinued for many reasons, one of the most common is that newer, more advanced options have become available to replace the older ones. With technological innovation advancing all the time, contact lens features are constantly changing, meaning older lens types fall out of favour with consumers and are eventually discontinued.
Change can be a challenge, especially with products like contact lenses that wearers often use for years. However, you’ll likely find that upgrading to a new product with improved features will enhance your overall wearing experience.
If your contact lenses are about to be discontinued (or already have been), here are our optician’s recommendations for the most suitable upgrade options. As with any change to your contact lens routine, please speak to your eye care professional directly — they’ll know best what suits your particular vision needs.
Alternatives to discontinued contact lenses
Discontinued lens: Focus Dailies All Day Comfort
Recommended alternative: Dailies AquaComfort Plus
As one of the first daily disposable lenses on the market, Focus Dailies All Day Comfort was a popular line from CIBA Vision (now Alcon), known for its comfort and ease of use. In 2009, a premium version — Dailies AquaComfort Plus — joined the family. With Blink-Activated technology and updated parameters, it made sense for Alcon to promote this new generation of lenses and eventually discontinue Focus Dailies All Day Comfort entirely at the end of 2023.
Does it require a refit? Alcon considers Dailies AquaComfort Plus a direct replacement for Focus Dailies All Day Comfort, but we still recommend consulting an eye care professional before switching to a lens with different parameters.
Discontinued lens: 1 Day ACUVUE TruEye
Recommended alternative: ACUVUE Oasys 1 Day
A long-time favourite and bestselling lens, the ACUVUE TruEye was the first daily disposable to use premium silicone hydrogel material. When the ACUVUE Oasys 1 Day launched in 2016, the newest generation of ACUVUE lenses came with HydraLuxe technology and was considered a significant upgrade over the TruEye. However, due to the TruEye’s popularity, it took ACUVUE some time to stop production, and it was finally discontinued in 2022. Although some stock remains for certain prescriptions, TruEye wearers need to find a new lens for their vision needs once remaining stock runs out.
Does it require a refit? Yes. The diameter, base curve and materials of the ACUVUE Oasys 1 Day differ slightly from the TruEye. Please consult your optician before making the switch.
Discontinued lens: ACUVUE Advance
Recommended alternative: ACUVUE Oasys
ACUVUE’s bi-weekly lenses were discontinued by Johnson & Johnson in 2016. ACUVUE OASYS with Hydraclear Plus technology is the best alternative to the ACUVUE Advance from the same brand. As the bestselling bi-weekly lens, ACUVUE OASYS consistently receives 5-star reviews from Lenstore customers.
Does it require a refit? Yes. Please consult your eye care professional before making the switch.
Discontinued lens: Frequency XCEL Toric
Recommended alternative: Avaira Vitality Toric
CooperVision’s Frequency XCEL Toric was one of the first monthly lenses to offer a wide range of parameters for contact lens wearers with astigmatism. However, the Frequency XCEL was built with older-style hydrogel material, and advances in toric lens technology made it obsolete, making the Avaira Vitality Toric the more comfortable modern option. As wearers increasingly preferred the improved features of the new Avaira range, Frequency XCEL ceased production in early 2021.
Does it require a refit? Yes. The change in lens material and toric design requires a check by an eye care professional to confirm that Avaira Vitality Toric can adequately correct your vision needs.
Discontinued lens: Air Optix Aqua
Recommended alternative: Air Optix Aqua HydraGlyde
Discontinued in September 2023, the Air Optix Aqua was replaced by a new version of the product with HydraGlyde technology. These monthly lenses have been upgraded to cover a wider prescription range (from -12.00 to +8.00).
Does it require a refit? No. According to the lens manufacturer (Alcon), Air Optix wearers can switch to the HydraGlyde version without needing a new fitting.
Discontinued lens: Frequency 55 Aspheric
Recommended alternative: Avaira Vitality
Frequency 55 Aspheric was discontinued in early 2021 along with many other lenses in the Frequency range. Improvements in lens materials and production have replaced the older range with a more breathable silicone hydrogel construction, found in the Avaira family. CooperVision recommends Avaira Vitality as a suitable replacement for the discontinued Frequency 55 Aspheric range.
Does it require a refit? Yes. The changes in lens material and size require an optician’s assessment to confirm that Avaira Vitality suits your needs.
Discontinued lens: Focus Dailies All Day Comfort Toric
Recommended alternative: Dailies AquaComfort Plus Toric
Like its spherical counterpart, Focus Dailies All Day Comfort Toric was discontinued and replaced by a new generation: Dailies AquaComfort Plus Toric. Available in a wider range than its predecessor, Dailies AquaComfort Plus Toric also features LightStream lens technology for enhanced comfort and Precision Balance 8/4 lens design to improve stability, reduce rotation and sharpen visual clarity for people with astigmatism.
Does it require a refit? Yes. The changes in lens power parameters and design differences in the AquaComfort Plus Toric range require an optician’s review to confirm it matches your prescription and vision needs.