Bausch + Lomb ULTRA vs. TOTAL30: Which Monthly Contact Lens Is Better?
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and TOTAL30 are both premium monthly contact lenses designed to stay comfortable throughout the day. However, they use very different approaches to moisture and comfort.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA uses MoistureSeal technology to help the lens retain moisture for up to 16 hours. TOTAL30 uses Water Gradient and CELLIGENT technologies to create an extremely soft, moisture-rich surface that remains comfortable throughout the entire month.
Neither lens is automatically better for everyone. Your eye doctor will need to evaluate how each one fits your eyes, but understanding their differences can help you know what to ask about during your next exam.
This guide compares Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and TOTAL30 based on material, comfort, moisture technology, UV protection, and price.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA is a monthly replacement contact lens. You can wear the same pair for up to 30 days, as long as you remove, clean, and store the lenses properly every night.
The lens is made from samfilcon A, a breathable silicone hydrogel material with a water content of 46%.
The main feature of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA is its MoistureSeal technology. This technology is designed to help the lens maintain 95% of its moisture for up to 16 hours, which may be helpful if your contacts tend to become dry or uncomfortable later in the day.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA is also marketed toward people who spend a significant amount of time using phones, computers, and other digital devices. People tend to blink less frequently when looking at screens, which can cause contact lenses to dry out faster.
Key Features of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA
- Replacement schedule: Monthly
- Material: Samfilcon A silicone hydrogel
- Water content: 46%
- UV protection: No built-in UV filter
- Technology: MoistureSeal technology
- Pack size: Six lenses
TOTAL30
TOTAL30 is also a monthly replacement contact lens. Each pair can be worn for up to 30 days with nightly removal, cleaning, and storage.
TOTAL30 is made from lehfilcon A, another type of silicone hydrogel. The lens has a water content of 55% at its core, but its Water Gradient technology allows the water content to gradually increase toward the surface. At the outermost surface, the lens approaches 100% water.
This creates a very soft, moisture-rich surface where the contact lens meets the eye.
TOTAL30 also uses CELLIGENT technology, which is designed to mimic certain characteristics of the eye’s surface. It helps the lens attract water while resisting substances like lipids and bacteria that can build up on reusable lenses.
Key Features of TOTAL30
- Replacement schedule: Monthly
- Material: Lehfilcon A silicone hydrogel
- Water content: 55% at the core, approaching 100% at the outermost surface
- UV protection: Yes
- Technology: Water Gradient and CELLIGENT technologies
- Pack size: Six lenses
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA vs. TOTAL30 at a Glance
|
Feature |
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA |
TOTAL30 |
|
Replacement schedule |
Monthly |
Monthly |
|
Material |
Samfilcon A |
Lehfilcon A |
|
Water content |
46% |
55% at the core, approaching 100% at the surface |
|
Moisture technology |
MoistureSeal |
Water Gradient |
|
Deposit-resistant technology |
No separate surface technology |
CELLIGENT technology |
|
UV protection |
No |
Yes |
Replacement Schedule
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and TOTAL30 are both monthly contact lenses.
Once you open a new pair, you should replace them after 30 days, even if you did not wear them every day. The replacement schedule is based on when the lenses are opened, not the number of times you wear them.
Both lenses need to be removed and cleaned every night using fresh contact lens solution. You should never rinse or store monthly lenses in tap water, and you should replace your contact lens case regularly.
Monthly contacts are usually less expensive per day than daily disposable lenses, but they require more upkeep. If you know you will struggle to clean your lenses consistently, a daily disposable option may be a better fit.
Comfort
Comfort is the biggest reason someone might compare Bausch + Lomb ULTRA with TOTAL30, but the two lenses approach it differently.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Comfort
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA focuses on helping the lens maintain moisture throughout a long day.
Its MoistureSeal technology is designed to retain 95% of the lens’s moisture for up to 16 hours. This may make ULTRA worth asking your eye doctor about if your lenses feel comfortable in the morning but noticeably drier by the evening.
It may also appeal to people who work on computers all day. Screen use can reduce how often you blink, and blinking is what helps spread a fresh layer of tears across your contact lenses.
TOTAL30 Comfort
TOTAL30 focuses heavily on surface comfort.
Its Water Gradient design creates a surface that approaches 100% water, so the part of the lens touching your eye feels extremely soft and smooth. CELLIGENT technology also helps the surface attract water and resist certain deposits.
This may make TOTAL30 a strong option if your monthly contacts start to feel less comfortable toward the end of their replacement cycle. Its technology is specifically designed to help the lens continue feeling comfortable through day 30.
That does not mean TOTAL30 will automatically feel better than Bausch + Lomb ULTRA. Contact lens comfort is extremely individual. A lens can have impressive technology and still be uncomfortable if its shape, diameter, or material is not a good match for your eyes.
Moisture Technology
The most important difference between Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and TOTAL30 is how each lens manages moisture.
MoistureSeal Technology
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA uses MoistureSeal technology to help the lens retain moisture and maintain its shape throughout the day.
The goal is consistent comfort during long periods of wear, especially when you are using digital devices or spending time in dry environments such as air-conditioned offices.
Water Gradient Technology
TOTAL30 uses Water Gradient technology. Instead of having the same water content throughout the entire lens, its water content increases as you move from the silicone hydrogel core toward the surface.
The core provides the structure and oxygen permeability needed for a monthly lens, while the moisture-rich surface is designed to provide a softer feeling against the eye.
TOTAL30 also adds CELLIGENT technology to help keep the lens surface clean and hydrated throughout the month.
Neither approach is universally better. Someone who struggles with dryness at the end of a long workday may prefer ULTRA, while someone who notices a major difference between a fresh monthly lens and one nearing day 30 may prefer TOTAL30.
Screen Use
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA is the more screen-focused option of the two.
Its moisture technology is marketed toward people who spend long hours looking at phones, computers, and other digital devices. Reduced blinking during screen use can contribute to dryness, blurry vision, and tired-feeling eyes.
TOTAL30 is not specifically designed around digital eye strain, but its soft, moisture-rich surface may still be comfortable for someone who spends a lot of time using screens.
Contact lenses cannot completely prevent digital eye strain. Taking screen breaks, blinking intentionally, adjusting your screen position, and using contact-lens-compatible rewetting drops may still help.
UV Protection
UV protection is one area where these lenses have a clear difference.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA does not include a built-in UV blocker.
TOTAL30
TOTAL30 includes built-in UV protection.
However, UV-blocking contact lenses only cover part of your eye. They are not a replacement for sunglasses because they do not protect your eyelids or the surrounding skin. You should still wear sunglasses with broad UV protection when you are outside.
Cost
Both lenses are sold in six-packs, with each box providing a six-month supply for one eye. If the prescription is different in each eye, you will typically need to purchase two boxes.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA is generally the more affordable of the two at Blue Planet Optics. TOTAL30 costs more because it uses newer Water Gradient and CELLIGENT technologies.
Prices can change, so it is important to compare the final checkout total rather than only looking at an advertised price. Some contact lens retailers attach their lowest prices to annual-supply purchases, new-customer discounts, rebates, or other requirements.
At Blue Planet Optics, shipping is free and there are no hidden fees. When you purchase three qualifying boxes, you also automatically receive 40% off a fourth box.
Which Lens Should You Choose?
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA may be worth asking about if your contacts become dry toward the end of the day, you regularly wear your lenses for long hours, or you spend most of your workday looking at screens. It is also typically the more affordable option.
TOTAL30 may be worth considering if you want a very soft, moisture-rich lens surface, your current monthly lenses become less comfortable as the month goes on, or built-in UV protection is important to you.
Both are high-quality monthly contact lenses. The best choice will come down to which material and lens design fit your eyes most comfortably.
Your eye doctor will need to prescribe the specific brand you purchase. Even if two contact lenses correct the same prescription, they are not automatically interchangeable.
FAQ
Is TOTAL30 better than Bausch + Lomb ULTRA?
Not necessarily. TOTAL30 has a moisture-rich Water Gradient surface and built-in UV protection, while Bausch + Lomb ULTRA focuses on maintaining moisture during long days and digital device use. The better choice depends on your eyes, prescription, and how each lens fits.
Which lens is better for dry eyes?
Both lenses are designed with comfort and moisture in mind. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA may be a good option if dryness becomes more noticeable after several hours of wear. TOTAL30 may be a better fit if your monthly lenses become uncomfortable as they get closer to the end of their 30-day replacement period.
Dry-eye symptoms can have several causes, so talk to your eye doctor before choosing a lens based on dryness alone.
Can I switch from Bausch + Lomb ULTRA to TOTAL30?
You will need to speak with your eye doctor before switching. Contact lens prescriptions are brand-specific because different lenses have different materials, shapes, diameters, and fitting characteristics.
Do Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and TOTAL30 come in versions for astigmatism?
Yes. Both brands offer monthly toric lenses designed to correct astigmatism. However, you will need a separate prescription for the toric version.
Do both lenses come in multifocal versions?
Yes. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and TOTAL30 are both available in multifocal versions for people with presbyopia.
Can you sleep in Bausch + Lomb ULTRA or TOTAL30?
You should only sleep in contact lenses if your eye doctor has specifically approved overnight wear for your eyes and prescribed the lenses accordingly. Sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of irritation and eye infections.
How long does one six-pack last?
A six-pack generally provides a six-month supply for one eye. If you have different prescriptions in your right and left eyes, you will usually need two boxes for a six-month supply.