Hydrolens / Hydrofit Brown – Cantor Barnard
Hydrolens / Hydrofit Brown by Cantor Barnard is a medical soft Single Vision contact lens manufactured using precise Lathe-Cut technology. It combines refractive correction with a Brown Reactive Dye Tint that may be used to enhance or alter the appearance of the eye according to the selected shade.
Delivery Time
The lenses are supplied within a maximum period of:
30 to 60 days
from the date the order is confirmed.
Lens Design
The basic design uses:
Spherical Blended Bi-Curve Front and Back Surfaces
to provide stable fitting and good comfort when the appropriate Base Curve and Diameter are selected.
The spherical version is designed to correct:
Brown Tint
The standard Brown tint range includes:
- Brown 1
- Brown 2
- Brown 3
- Brown 4
- Brown 5
- Brown 6
- Brown 7
- Brown 8
Cantor Barnard states that Basic Pastel Tints generally perform best on lighter-colored eyes.
Some of the natural iris color may remain visible through the tint, particularly when lighter shades are used on darker eyes.
The latest Cantor Barnard booklet, Issue 2 – January 2026, states that the current Pastel Tint range is manufactured using:
Contaflex 67%
Therefore, when the product is the current Brown Pastel version, this is the safest material reference for the product page unless Cantor Barnard confirms otherwise for the specific order.
Brown Shades
Available shades include:
Brown 1 – Brown 8
Each shade differs in tint density and the amount of light transmitted through the colored lens.
The current booklet publishes Light Transmittance measurements for these shades and explains that a higher percentage means that more light passes through the tinted lens.
Basic Brown vs Thames Brown
Feature | Basic Brown | Thames Brown |
|---|
Shades | Brown 1–8 | Thames Brown 1–5 |
Primary Use | Tint / Colour Enhancement | Therapeutic / Filter Tint |
Cosmetic Enhancement | Yes | Not the primary purpose |
Photophobia | May help in selected cases | One of the main applications |
Nystagmus | May help in selected cases | One of the main applications |
Achromatopsia | Not the primary use | Listed by the company |
Order Name | Brown | Thames Brown |
Cantor Barnard specifically notes successful use of Thames Brown in cases including:
- Achromatopsia
- Albinism
- Bell's Palsy
- Nystagmus
- Photophobia
Therefore, Basic Brown and Thames Brown should not be combined into one product listing.
Current Material for Brown Pastel
According to the 2026 booklet:
Contaflex 67
- Water Content: 67%
- Material Family: Hydrogel Soft Lens Material
- Tint Type: Reactive Dye / Pastel Tint
Cantor Barnard specifically states that its current Pastel Tints are manufactured using:
Contaflex 67%
This is important because the standard Hydrolens and Hydrofit ranges may be available in multiple materials, while the Pastel Brown version should be linked to the material available for tinting rather than to every material in the family.
Standard Hydrolens Materials
Standard Hydrolens lenses may be manufactured in:
Material | Water Content | Dk |
|---|
Contaflex / Filcon 1 | 38% | 8 |
GM Advance / Acofilcon A | 58% | 25 |
Contaflex / Filcon 2 | 67% | 37 |
Contaflex / Filcon 2 | 77% | 46 |
Definitive / Safrofilcon 5B | 65% SiH | 62 |
For the current Pastel Brown version, use:
Contaflex 67%
unless another material is specifically confirmed by Cantor Barnard for the manufacturing order.
Hydrolens Specifications
Specification | Value |
|---|
Base Curve | 6.60–10.40 mm |
BC Steps | 0.10 mm |
Diameter | 11.00–20.00 mm |
Diameter Steps | 0.50 mm |
SiH Maximum Diameter | 18.00 mm |
Power | -30.00D to +30.00D |
Power Steps | 0.25D |
Higher Powers | May be available |
Design | Spherical Blended Front & Back |
Manufacturing | Lathe-Cut |
Maximum Modality | Up to 12 Months |
Brown Tint | Available as Pastel Tint |
Hydrofit Specifications
Hydrofit has more specific standard fitting combinations:
Diameter | Base Curve |
|---|
13.00 mm | 7.50 / 7.80 / 8.10 mm |
13.75 mm | 8.10 / 8.40 / 8.70 mm |
14.50 mm | 8.50 / 8.80 / 9.10 mm |
Power range:
-30.00D to +30.00D
Power steps:
0.25D
Higher powers:
May be available on request
Hydrofit is also manufactured using:
Lathe-Cut Technology
with:
Spherical Blended Bi-Curve Surfaces
Cantor Barnard specifically states that:
Reactive Dye Tints
may be added to enhance or change eye color.
Hydrofit Replacement Schedule
Cantor Barnard describes Hydrofit as:
Designed to last up to 6 months
with the final replacement interval determined by the eye care professional.
Recommended wording:
Replacement: Up to 6 Months / According to eye care professional recommendation
Vision Type
The Brown version is:
Single Vision
and is not:
Multifocal
Its primary refractive applications are:
Cantor Barnard provides separate Multifocal designs, such as the PV Series, which is specifically described as a:
Progressive Multifocal
Key Features
- Medical Single Vision soft contact lens
- Spherical design for Myopia or Hyperopia
- Brown Reactive Dye Tint
- Eight Brown shades
- May enhance or alter eye color
- Particularly suitable for color enhancement in lighter eyes
- Pastel tints may help reduce glare in selected cases
- Spherical Blended Bi-Curve design
- Lathe-Cut manufacturing
- Custom-made to prescription
- Wide fitting range with Hydrolens
- Daily Wear
- Manufactured in the United Kingdom
- Professionally fitted
Suitable Applications
The Brown version may be used, following professional assessment, for:
- Myopia
- Hyperopia
- Eye color enhancement
- Changing iris appearance using Brown shades
- Cases requiring prescription correction together with a Tint
- Cases requiring customized soft-lens fitting parameters
- Selected cases that may benefit from reduced glare or photophobia through tinted lenses
However, Brown Pastel should not be presented as a treatment for Photophobia.
If the main purpose is therapeutic light filtration for a medical condition, Thames Brown may be the more relevant design within the Cantor Barnard range.
Basic Pastel Tint
Cantor Barnard states that Basic Pastel Tints:
- Work best on lighter-colored eyes
- May allow some of the natural iris color to remain visible
- Can be used to enhance or modify eye appearance
- May help improve comfort, vision, or reduce glare in selected cases
Pupil Options
The current Pastel Tint booklet indicates that tinting may be applied to:
Iris + Pupil
with options including:
- Clear / Open Pupil
- Black / Closed Pupil
These options are generally associated with specific cosmetic or medical requirements.
Therefore, a Black Pupil should not normally be presented as a standard self-selectable customer option without professional guidance.
Fitting Procedure
Before fitting, Cantor Barnard recommends:
- Full Refraction
- Eye Examination
- Keratometry
- HVID measurement
- Selecting a Diameter approximately 2–3 mm larger than HVID
- Selecting the Base Curve according to corneal curvature and lens diameter
Cantor Barnard provides the following initial Base Curve guidance:
Diameter | BC Flatter Than Flattest K |
|---|
12.50 mm | 0.30–0.40 mm |
13.00 mm | 0.40–0.60 mm |
13.50 mm | 0.60–0.80 mm |
14.00 mm | 0.80–1.00 mm |
14.50–15.00 mm | 1.00–1.20 mm |
These values are initial fitting guidance and not a final prescription.
Good Fit
A good fit is characterized by:
- Good comfort
- Good centration
- Full limbal coverage
- Smooth and appropriate movement
- Good response to the Push-Up Test
- Over-Refraction after the fitting is confirmed
Flat Fit
A flat fit may result in:
- Poor Centration
- Unstable Vision
- Discomfort
An initial adjustment may involve:
A steeper Base Curve
when available.
Steep Fit
A steep fit may show:
- Very little or no movement
- Resistance during the Push-Up Test
- Blanching
An initial adjustment may involve:
A flatter Base Curve
Lens Care Instructions
- Wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling the lens
- Clean the lenses after each use using a solution designed for soft contact lenses
- Rub and rinse the lens with the appropriate solution
- Use fresh disinfecting solution every time
- Do not use water
- Do not use saliva
- Do not sleep in the lenses unless specifically permitted by the eye care professional
- Do not swim while wearing the lenses
- Do not shower while wearing the lenses
- Do not wear a damaged lens
- Replace the lens case at least once per month
- Consult an eye care professional if pain, redness, or blurred vision occurs
Cantor Barnard recommends soft-lens care systems including:
- Oté Twins Active
- Avizor Unica Sensitive
Special Note for Tinted Lenses
Some previous Cantor Barnard Pastel Tint guidance indicates that the type of care solution may affect tint stability.
For this reason, it is best to follow the care system specifically recommended by Cantor Barnard or the eye care professional for the tinted lens.
Users should not change the care solution without professional guidance.
Important Warnings
Hydrolens / Hydrofit Brown is a custom tinted medical soft contact lens manufactured according to the prescription and measurements of the eye. Tint shade and fitting parameters should be selected with an eye care professional.
The final appearance of the Brown Tint may vary depending on:
- Natural iris color
- Selected tint density
- Lighting conditions
Images and displayed colors are approximate, and the actual appearance on the eye may vary from person to person.
Do not wear the lens while sleeping or swimming.
Stop using the lens and consult an eye care professional if you experience:
- Eye pain
- Redness
- Unusual discomfort
- Changes in vision
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