In the last few years many of the newest contact lens products to hit the market involved modifying or improving wetting agents in already existing products to improve all day comfort. Recently, wetting agents have been added into the blister packaging solutions of the lenses to serve this purpose. I always wondered whether these changes would have any impact on the performance of the lenses.

In a recent article by Menzies and Jones, the physical properties of blister packing solutions were compared between modified and non-modified products and traditional saline solutions. They measured and compared the pH, surface tension (ST), viscosity, and osmolality of blister packing solutions for a variety of silicone hydrogel and HEMA-based hydrogel lenses as well as two saline solutions (Unisol and Ciba Softwear Saline).

They found that the pH for the two saline solutions and all blister pack solutions remained in the pH range of tears (6.6-7.8). However, the surface tension of the modified blister pack solutions was significantly lower than the original non-modified blister pack solutions. Additionally, only the modified blister pack solutions had significantly higher viscosities. Therefore, the incorporation of wetting agents and surfactants into blister pack solutions does alter their physical properties, which may indeed have clinical implications. Whether these altered physical properties improve or even worsen comfort has yet to be shown.

Menzies KL, Jones L. Optom Vis Sci. 2010 Dec 23. [Epub ahead of print] In Vitro Analysis of the Physical Properties of Contact Lens Blister Pack Solutions.

As a native Southern Californian who has lived in New England for the past 18 years, I am bitterly reminded at this time of year that one price of enjoying "real seasons" is the biting cold of winter. Two interesting abstracts from the recent American Academy of Optometry meeting presented data on the effect of temperature on soft contact lens parameters.

The first abstract (Read, 2010) found that as temperature was increased from laboratory (20°C) to in vivo conditions (35°C), lens diameter, base curve radius, water content, and advancing contact (wetting) angle were all significantly decreased. The second abstract (Young, 2010) also found that diameter decreased, and in addition they found that the modulus of silicone hydrogels decreases significantly at higher temperatures.

Though it is unclear what, if any, clinical effect this may have, it may be something to keep in mind if patients present with changes in lens performance during cold winters or hot summers.

Young G, et al. The effect of temperature on soft contact lens modulus and diameter. Poster presented at 2010 American Academy of Optometry meeting.

Vistakon Announces Consumer Sweepstakes

Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., announced the "New You" sweepstakes to give consumers the chance to have improved vision and better fitness in the New Year.

The "New You" Sweepstakes will run from January 1, 2011, through February 28, 2011. One Grand Prize winner will receive a one year supply of Acuvue Brand Contact Lenses along with a one year gym membership and five personal training sessions. Five First Prize winners will receive a one year's supply of Acuvue Brand Contact Lenses (when accompanied by a current, valid prescription; professional exam and fitting fees not included). Consumers can enter to win the "New You" sweepstakes and see official rules at www.eyes4living.com.

-- ADVERTISEMENT --

InSite Vision Files IND for ISV-101 for Treatment of Dry Eye

InSite Vision Incorporated has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ISV-101 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ISV-101 is InSite Vision's novel compound being developed to treat dry eye disease. ISV-101 combines a low dose of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) bromfenac (Bromday/Xibrom marketed by ISTA Pharmaceuticals) with InSite Vision's proprietary DuraSite technology.

InSite Vision anticipates initiating a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in 2011 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ISV-101 when administered twice daily to patients suffering from dry eye disease. The five-arm trial design will include three ISV-101 dose concentrations and comparisons against DuraSite and non-DuraSite (placebo) vehicles. Data from the Phase 1/2 study are expected to provide guidance on the ideal dose for ISV-101 and the design of a Phase 3 clinical program.

According to the company, its DuraSite polymer technology extends the duration of drug residence on the surface of the eye to facilitate better penetration, thereby potentially improving efficacy, safety and dosing of a given therapeutic. Initial data from clinical studies evaluating the combination of DuraSite with a higher dose of bromfenac have demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The company further states that, due to its distinct mode of action, ISV-101 is expected to act as a complimentary treatment to Restasis (marketed by Allergan, Inc.) for patients with dry eye disease.

Patients Receive Life Changing Gifts through SynergEyes Grants

Patients are receiving the gift of clear and comfortable vision thanks to the Sharing Vision Grant Program sponsored by SynergEyes, Inc. This program brings ClearKone hybrid contact lens technology to keratoconus patients who may otherwise not have access.

After refractive eye surgery in 2003, Cassidy Randle's initially good vision started deteriorating. She became almost blind in her left eye and had poor vision in the right. Unfortunately, none of the lenses she tried gave her comfort or vision back. It came to a point that she was unable to drive a car and her hopes of nursing school were fading.

After Dr. Gupta at the University of Texas Medial Branch (UTMB) Eye Center volunteered her time and provided a free fitting for her in ClearKone lenses, provided free by SynergEyes, Inc., Cassidy is now able to see again.

Currently, over 15 patients are enrolled in the program; receiving free lenses from SynergEyes and free fitting from participating eye care practitioners. One of these patients is Melanie LeMay who is working with Dr. Adam Gordon of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Eye Center to achieve clear vision for the first time in 17 years.

For more information on the Sharing Vision Grant Program, visit treatkeratoconus.com/sharing-vision-grant-program. Practitioners interested in prescribing ClearKone can visit www.FitSynergEyes.com.

Still Time Register for the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, January 27-30, 2011, Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

The 2011 Global Specialty Lens Symposium is rapidly approaching, but there is still time to register! With an expert international faculty and a CE-accredited agenda, the 2011 GSLS will include insightful presentations by experts in the field, hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge products as well as scientific papers and posters. Look for more detailed information in Contact Lens Spectrum and online at www.GSLSymposium.com, where you may also register.
--ADVERTISING

Ocusoft Names Ward Executive Vice-President

Ocusoft, Inc. announced the appointment of Patrick Ward, RPh, MBA as its new Executive Vice President.

A pharmacist with over 15 years of international experience in business development, Ward's recently served as Vice President, Finance and Administration and co-founder of Aviara Pharmaceutical Research, a startup biopharmaceutical company, and formerly was Executive Director of Business Development of Encysive Pharmaceuticals.

Ward received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Houston and his MBA from the University of St. Thomas' Cameron School of Business.

B+L Offers Crystalens iClear iPhone Application

Bausch + Lomb (B+L) announced that it is offering a free iPhone application, called Crystalens iClear, that will educate and entertain consumers about vision, cataracts and the B+L Crystalens product, the only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens.

The Crystalens iClear iPhone app will help users learn more about cataracts. In addition, they will be able to self-check their visual acuity and color vision and have some fun with the Crystalens iClear "Picture Hunt." The user will also be able to find a Crystalens surgeon by using "doc finder" on the application. The iPhone app is free and is available in iPhone App Stores.

Some of our recent editorial content has focused on the impact of daily disposables in the market, in addition to their impact on our patients. The focus of the last few weeks was on microbial keratitis and I would like to thank those of you responding to our queries. I'd like to turn our attention to the impact of daily disposables on contact lens dry eye, as research on this topic has shown varied results.

As always, thank you for responding to our Quick Poll on this topic this week and we look forward to reporting back to you on the results from your impressions in the weeks to come.

Pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (PMD) is a rare ectatic disorder which typically affects the inferior peripheral cornea in a crescentic fashion. The condition is most commonly found in males and usually appears between the 2nd and 5th decades of life affecting all ethnicities. The prevalence and etiology of this disorder remain unknown.

Ocular signs and symptoms of patients with PMD differ depending on the severity of the condition. Unless corneal topography is evaluated, early forms of PMD may often be undetected, however, in the later stages PMD can often be misdiagnosed as keratoconus. Visual signs and symptoms include longstanding reduced visual acuity or increasing against-the-rule irregular astigmatism leading to a slow reduction in visual acuity. In rare cases, patients may present with a sudden loss of vision and excruciating ocular pain due to corneal hydrops or spontaneous perforation.

The vast majority of PMD patients are managed using spectacles and contact lenses. Several surgical procedures have been used in an attempt to improve visual acuity when spectacles and contact lenses do not provide adequate vision correction. Since patients with PMD make poor candidates for laser vision correction, an awareness of the topographical and slit-lamp features of PMD will be useful to clinicians screening for signs of corneal abnormality before corneal refractive surgery.

This review describes the clinical features of PMD, its differential diagnosis and various management strategies presently available.

Jinabhai A, Radhakrishnan H, O'Donnell C. Pellucid corneal marginal degeneration: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010.