Last updated: January 20, 2026
Written by: Moody Editorial Team
Expert background referenced (public sources):
Prof. Jia Qu — Ophthalmology & optometry educator known for advancing optometric education in China (“Wenzhou Model”) and formerly served as President of Wenzhou Medical University. Public sources also note honorary doctorates from the New England College of Optometry (2002) and the State University of New York (2013).
Disclosure (important): This article references publicly available biographical information for educational context. It does not imply a product endorsement by Prof. Jia Qu unless explicitly stated.
Executive Summary
-
The material leap: “Gen 3” silicone hydrogel is designed to make high oxygen + soft feel coexist (public-facing spec: 150 Dk/t; low modulus feel).
-
The comfort goal: Dryness/discomfort is the #1 reason people shorten wear time or quit contacts—material choice is one of the most meaningful levers.
-
The style shift: Breathe+ is built for a “your eyes, but brighter” aesthetic—clean, low-saturation, everyday wearable—without treating colored contacts like a “special-occasion compromise.”
The Problem Nobody Warns You About: End-of-Day Eye Fatigue
In clinic, the most common complaint isn’t “my prescription changed.” It’s:
“My eyes feel tired, dry, and slightly red by the end of the day.”
Large reviews and expert consensus panels repeatedly show that dryness and contact lens discomfort are extremely common, often showing up late in the day and driving reduced wear time or dropout.
For years, the industry’s unspoken trade-off looked like this:
-
Clear lenses: higher oxygen options, optimized for long wear
-
Colored lenses: more style options, but many were historically built on lower-oxygen platforms
Today, that gap is closing—fast.
-
The One Metric That Matters: Understanding Dk/t (in human language)
Your cornea is unusual: it gets much of its oxygen directly from the environment. When you place a lens on top, oxygen has to pass through the lens to reach the cornea.
That’s why we care about oxygen transmissibility, commonly written as Dk/t (material oxygen permeability Dk, divided by lens thickness t).
Translation: Higher Dk/t generally means your cornea can “breathe” more freely during wear.
Why “150 Dk/t” is a big deal (especially for color lenses)
Breathe+ publicly positions its oxygen spec at 150 Dk/t—i.e., aiming for the high-oxygen tier people associate with premium clear-lens comfort (now applied to a colored-lens lifestyle).
(Note: exact oxygen performance depends on thickness and design, which vary by power.)
-
Why Gen 3 Silicone Hydrogel Feels Different: The “Goldilocks” Balance
Not all silicone hydrogel is created equal. Early generations did increase oxygen, but some wearers described them as stiffer or “plasticky.”
The Gen 3 goal is a more balanced equation:
A) High oxygen platform
Manufacturing specs for silicone hydrogel color-lens platforms can reach Dk ~150 for certain modalities.
B) Low modulus (softness you can actually feel)
Modulus is stiffness. Lower modulus usually means a lens that drapes more gently on the eye (many people experience this as “softer,” “less presence,” “less awareness”). Manufacturer spec tables commonly show ~0.5 MPa for daily and ~0.6 MPa for monthly in this category.
C) Water content that supports day-to-day comfort
Many silicone hydrogel designs in this class sit around ~47% water content, which helps with a “hydrated” wearing feel when paired with surface treatments/wettable chemistry.
Bottom line: Gen 3 is trying to deliver oxygen like a “health lens” with the wear-feel people expect from softer, water-loving lenses.
Ready to feel the difference of high-oxygen color?
-
Safety by Design: What “FDA-Regulated” Actually Means for Colored Contacts
Let’s be very clear: in the U.S., colored contacts are medical devices and are legally prescription products—even if they’re purely cosmetic.
Pigment safety isn’t a vibe—there are rules
FDA also regulates color additives used in medical devices; certain color additives must be listed in the CFR and may require FDA batch certification depending on the additive category.
And when you look at FDA device documentation for silicone hydrogel color lenses, you can see examples of:
-
cosmetic tint in an annular pattern with a clear optic zone
-
color additives referenced as listed under relevant CFR parts
-
“Sandwich Technology”: Why It’s the Quiet Hero of Comfortable Color
A major concern with colored lenses is simple:
Will pigment touch my eye or make the surface feel rough?
A common modern approach is Sandwich Technology—embedding the pigment between layers of lens material rather than printing color on the outside surface. That design intent is to:
-
keep pigments from contacting the cornea directly
-
keep the lens surface smoother (comfort)
How this connects to Breathe+: If your colored lenses use an embedded pigment approach (a “sandwich” style), you’re essentially trying to make color behave more like a “built-in design,” not a surface coating.
-
The “Native Beauty” Aesthetic: Color That Looks Like You
The biggest misconception is that “medical-grade” means “boring.”
The new direction—what Breathe+ is built for—is Native Beauty:
-
low-saturation tones
-
soft, blended edges
-
everyday realism under daylight, office lighting, and phone cameras
Shade starting points (simple, conversion-friendly)
If you’re moving from clear lenses or you want a “clean girl / no-makeup makeup” effect:
-
The Professional Neutral: Oud Wood
A cool-toned brown that reads polished, not theatrical.
-
The “Bright Eyes” Highlight: Spotlight / Glowy styles
Designed to add dimension and light without looking like a costume lens.
-
The Soft Romantic: muted rose / haze tones
For warmth and “soft focus” rather than high-contrast rings.
Quick rule: If you want “native,” choose smaller graphic diameter and lower saturation. If you want “spotlight,” step up diameter/contrast—but keep edge blending.
Not sure which shade looks natural on you?
Start with office-friendly neutrals or “soft focus” tones—most first-time wearers prefer low saturation + smaller graphic diameter.
-
A Practical Wear Plan: The 5+2 Routine (Style Days + Reset Days)
Even with better materials, your eyes still benefit from rhythm—especially if you’re on screens, in dry AC, or traveling.
The 5+2 Routine (easy version):
-
5 days: Breathe+ colored lenses for your “on” days
-
2 days: high-oxygen clear lenses for a calmer “reset” feel
This approach is simple, psychologically sticky, and it aligns with the real way people live: style when you want it, recovery when you need it.
Do the Routine: Style Days + Reset Days
Build your 5+2 kit in 2 minutes.
Final Verdict: The Era of “Beauty or Comfort” Is Ending
If you’re a heavy screen user, frequent traveler, or simply tired of end-of-day dryness, material choice is one of the few upgrades that can genuinely change your wearing experience.
Gen 3 silicone hydrogel is the direction the industry is moving toward—and Breathe+ is built to bring that clear-lens-grade comfort philosophy into the colored-lens world.
Your eyes do not need to “pay a health tax” for beauty anymore.
Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Contact lenses are regulated medical devices; follow local laws and always consult an optometrist/ophthalmologist for prescription, fit, and wear guidance. Discontinue use and seek medical care if you experience pain, persistent redness, light sensitivity, or vision changes. In the U.S., decorative/colored contact lenses require a valid prescription.