I've fit thousands of contact lenses over my career. Silicone hydrogels, hydrogels, sclerals, rigids, hybrids. And if a patient asks me which daily disposable lens feels the best on the eye, my answer hasn't changed in years: Dailies Total 1. This is a Dailies Total 1 review from someone who puts these lenses on patients' eyes every week and hears the feedback that follows. It's not a paid endorsement. Alcon didn't ask me to write this. I just genuinely think it's the best daily lens currently available for comfort.
That doesn't mean it's the right lens for everyone, and I'll get into that. But if you've been wearing contact lenses that feel great at 8 AM and sandpapery by 5 PM, Dailies Total 1 is probably the lens your optician wishes you'd try.
What Makes Dailies Total 1 Different
Most contact lenses are made of one material with a uniform water content throughout. Dailies Total 1 does something fundamentally different. Alcon developed what they call Water Gradient technology, and it's not just marketing. The lens has a silicone hydrogel core (delefilcon A) that's about 33% water, surrounded by a surface that gradually increases to nearly 100% water at the outermost layer.
Why does this matter? The core needs to be low in water content so it can transmit high levels of oxygen to your cornea (Dk/t of 156, which is excellent). But a dry silicone surface feels terrible against your eyelid. The water gradient solves both problems simultaneously. The core breathes. The surface glides.
| Specification | Dailies Total 1 |
|---|---|
| Material | Delefilcon A (silicone hydrogel) |
| Water content (core) | 33% |
| Water content (surface) | ~100% |
| Oxygen permeability (Dk/t) | 156 @ -3.00D |
| Base curve | 8.5 mm |
| Diameter | 14.1 mm |
| Power range | +6.00 to -12.00 |
| UV protection | No |
| Replacement | Daily disposable |
| Manufacturer | Alcon |
The 14.1 mm diameter and 8.5 mm base curve fit a wide range of eye shapes, though your optometrist will confirm fit during a contact lens fitting. The power range is generous too, covering most prescriptions from mild farsightedness to significant myopia.
Water Gradient Technology Explained
I get asked to explain this at least twice a week, so here's the plain version. Think of the lens like an avocado. The pit (core) is firm and dense. That's where the oxygen transmission happens. The flesh is softer and more hydrated. And the skin is almost entirely water. When your eyelid blinks across the lens surface, it's essentially sliding across a layer of water, not plastic.
Traditional silicone hydrogel lenses don't have this gradient. They're the same material through and through. Some use surface treatments or wetting agents to make the surface more comfortable, but none replicate the near-100% water surface that Dailies Total 1 achieves. It's a genuine engineering innovation, not a coating that wears off during the day.
| Lens Layer | Water Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ~33% | Oxygen delivery to cornea (Dk/t 156) |
| Mid-layer | ~50-80% (gradient) | Structural transition zone |
| Surface (outermost 6 microns) | ~100% | Lubrication, eyelid comfort, reduced friction |
This gradient is what allows Dailies Total 1 to maintain comfort through long wearing days. The surface doesn't dry out the way a traditional hydrogel surface does because it's inherently water-rich, not just coated with a wetting agent.
Dailies Total 1 vs. Acuvue Oasys 1-Day vs. Precision1
These are the three premium daily lenses I fit most often. Each one has a legitimate place, and the right choice depends on your eyes and your priorities.
Acuvue Oasys 1-Day (senofilcon A) from Johnson & Johnson is probably the closest competitor. It's a silicone hydrogel with HydraLuxe technology, which embeds a wetting agent throughout the lens matrix. It has excellent oxygen transmission (Dk/t 121) and comes in a wider range of parameters, including toric for astigmatism. Many patients find it very comfortable, though in my experience it doesn't quite match Total 1 for end-of-day comfort in dry-eye patients.
Precision1 (verofilcon A) is Alcon's own mid-tier daily. It uses SmartSurface technology, which creates a thin, permanent micro-layer of moisture on the surface. Think of it as a simpler version of the water gradient concept. It's noticeably cheaper than Total 1 and still very comfortable. For patients who can't justify the Total 1 price, Precision1 is where I usually steer them.
| Feature | Dailies Total 1 | Acuvue Oasys 1-Day | Precision1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Delefilcon A (SiHy) | Senofilcon A (SiHy) | Verofilcon A (SiHy) |
| Dk/t | 156 | 121 | 156 |
| Surface tech | Water gradient (~100% surface water) | HydraLuxe wetting agent | SmartSurface micro-layer |
| UV protection | No | Yes (Class 1) | No |
| Toric available | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multifocal available | Yes | No (Oasys Max 1-Day MF) | No |
| Price (30-pack, approx.) | $45-55 | $35-45 | $30-40 |
| End-of-day comfort | Excellent | Very good | Good |
If you have dry eyes and comfort is your top priority, Dailies Total 1 is the answer. If you have astigmatism, Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism is your best premium daily option. If you want great comfort without the premium price tag, Precision1 is a smart middle ground.
Who Benefits Most (and Who Doesn't Need Them)
I'm honest with patients about this. Dailies Total 1 is the most expensive daily disposable lens you can buy. Not everyone needs to spend that much. Here's who I actively recommend them to:
- Dry eye patients who've tried other dailies and hit the 4 PM wall where their lenses feel like cardboard.
- Long wearing-time patients who need 14-16 hours of comfortable wear consistently.
- Patients switching from monthly or biweekly lenses who want the hygiene benefits of dailies without sacrificing comfort.
- Contact lens drop-outs who quit lenses because of discomfort. Total 1 brings a lot of people back.
And here's who probably doesn't need to spend the extra money:
- Patients who wear lenses only occasionally (a few times a week). If your eyes aren't struggling with your current lens, the upgrade won't be dramatic enough to notice on short wearing days.
- People on a tight budget. Precision1 or even Dailies AquaComfort Plus will serve you well at a lower price point. Great lenses aren't limited to the premium tier.
- Patients with astigmatism. There's no Dailies Total 1 toric, so you'd be looking at Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism or Precision1 for Astigmatism instead.
If you're curious about daily lenses for dry eyes specifically, I've written a broader comparison that covers more options.
My Fitting Experience
From the optician's side of the slit lamp, I can tell you what I observe when I put Dailies Total 1 trial lenses on a patient's eyes. The lens settles quickly. Movement on blink is smooth and predictable. Patients almost always say the same thing within the first thirty seconds: "I can barely feel it."
That's the water gradient at work. The surface friction against the eyelid is remarkably low. With some lenses, patients blink hard a few times while the lens finds its position. With Total 1, it just glides into place. I've seen patients who were nervous about trying contacts for the first time visibly relax within a minute.
The follow-up conversations are consistent too. At the one-week check, the most common feedback is that end-of-day comfort is significantly better than whatever lens they were wearing before. The second most common comment is that they forgot they were wearing lenses. That's the highest compliment a contact lens can get.
The Cost Question
Let's address it directly. Dailies Total 1 typically runs $45-55 per box of 30 lenses in Canada. For both eyes, that's roughly $90-110 per month, or about $1,100-1,300 per year. That is a lot of money for contact lenses.
A 90-pack usually brings the per-lens price down by 10-15%, and many optical stores that carry contact lenses offer annual supply deals or manufacturer rebates that help further. Your insurance may cover a portion under your contact lens benefit, which is separate from your eyeglasses benefit on most Canadian plans.
The way I frame it for patients: if comfort is the thing that keeps you wearing contacts versus abandoning them, the extra $300-400 per year over a mid-tier daily is the cost of actually using your contact lens investment. Uncomfortable lenses that live in your drawer aren't saving you money. They're wasting whatever you already spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Dailies Total 1 worth the price?
For patients with dry eyes or comfort issues, I'd say yes. They cost more than any other daily lens on the market, but patients who've tried cheaper options and dealt with end-of-day dryness almost always say the comfort difference justifies the premium. If your eyes are naturally well-lubricated and you're happy with a standard daily, you may not notice enough improvement to justify the cost. It depends on your eyes.
How is Dailies Total 1 different from Dailies AquaComfort Plus?
They're fundamentally different technologies despite sharing the Dailies name. AquaComfort Plus is a traditional hydrogel that releases moisture agents during the day. Total 1 is a silicone hydrogel with water gradient technology — 33% water in the core for oxygen, nearly 100% water at the surface for comfort. Total 1 provides substantially better oxygen transmission and typically superior end-of-day comfort, especially for dry eye sufferers.
Can I sleep in Dailies Total 1 lenses?
No. Despite their excellent oxygen permeability, Dailies Total 1 lenses are not approved for overnight wear. They're designed to be worn during waking hours and thrown away at the end of each day. Sleeping in any contact lens that isn't specifically approved for extended wear increases your risk of corneal infections, ulcers, and other serious complications. Toss them before bed. Every time.
Do Dailies Total 1 come in astigmatism or multifocal?
Multifocal, yes. Dailies Total 1 Multifocal uses the same water gradient technology with added near power for presbyopia. For astigmatism (toric), Alcon doesn't currently make a Total 1 toric version. If you have astigmatism, the closest premium daily options are Precision1 for Astigmatism from Alcon or Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism from Johnson & Johnson.
How long can I wear Dailies Total 1 in a day?
Most patients comfortably wear them for 14-16 hours. Some report comfort even beyond 16 hours, though I wouldn't recommend pushing it routinely. The water gradient surface maintains lubrication longer than traditional dailies, which is why all-day comfort is its signature feature. If you're consistently wearing any contact lens more than 16 hours daily, mention it to your eye care professional at your next visit.
Are Dailies Total 1 good for dry eyes?
Dailies Total 1 is widely considered the best daily disposable for dry eyes. The nearly 100% water surface mimics the natural tear film and dramatically reduces eyelid friction. Many of my patients who struggled with dryness in other lenses find Total 1 comfortable through the full wearing day. That said, severe dry eye may need separate treatment — no contact lens replaces proper dry eye management by your optometrist.
Where can I buy Dailies Total 1 in Canada?
You need a valid contact lens prescription from a licensed eye care professional. Once you have that, you can purchase them from optical stores, optometry clinics, and authorized online retailers across Canada. Expect $45-55 per 30-pack. Buying a 90-pack usually gives you a better per-lens price, and many retailers run annual supply promotions. Your insurance may partially cover the cost under your contact lens benefit.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your optometrist, ophthalmologist, or family doctor for diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions.