Acuvue created the first widely marketed disposable contact lens, introduced in 1988.
Johnson & Johnson developed the lens through its Vistakon business and launched it under the Acuvue brand. The product was designed to be replaced regularly rather than cleaned and worn indefinitely, changing the way many consumers managed contact lenses.
Disposable lenses addressed concerns about deposits and maintenance while offering a convenient alternative to traditional reusable lenses. Acuvue lenses were initially made from etafilcon A, a hydrogel material that allows oxygen to reach the eye.
“Disposable” and “daily disposable” do not mean the same thing. Early disposable lenses were replaced on a scheduled basis, while daily disposables are discarded after one day. Acuvue later expanded into daily, extended-wear, and astigmatism-correcting products.