CONTACT LENSES TODAY
February 4, 2007
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.
1-800 Signs Long-term Supply Agreements with CL Suppliers
1-800 CONTACTS announced it recently signed long-term supply agreements with its three largest contact lens suppliers, CIBA Vision, CooperVision and Vistakon. (The company has purchased
directly from Bausch & Lomb (B&L), its fourth largest supplier, without a written agreement since 2001.) “For the first time in the company’s history, we can now purchase directly, as an authorized account, every
lens marketed by the four largest manufacturers,” said Jonathan Coon, Chief Executive Officer. “We believe these four manufacturers represent approximately 98% of all soft contact lenses sold in the United
States.”
Mr. Coon also said the company will no longer seek to amend the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA). “In its most recent session, to ensure that consumers could fill their prescriptions
from the business of their choice, Congress considered legislation regarding contact lens distribution practices. We supported that legislation. However, we believe the market solution embodied in these recent
supply agreements is adequate to ensure a competitive market — making legislation unnecessary at this time,”
he said.
“We expect the large amounts of our selling, general and administrative expenses that have for years
been dedicated to legislative and legal initiatives will decrease,” added Brian Bethers, President. “However, it will take time to rebuild our business with customers we have not been able to serve for several
years.”
Intacs SK for Severe Keratoconus
Addition Technology, maker of Intacs corneal implants, announced the international launch of Intacs SK, designed for patients with severe keratoconus. The company says Intacs SK is
designed to maximize the effectiveness for severe cases of keratoconus by providing the broadest field of vision. It is available in two sizes, 0.400mm and 0.450mm with shipments to the company’s ophthalmic
distributors scheduled to begin immediately. A new, supplemental instrument set is also available for use with Intacs SK.
CLSA Annual Meeting Registration
The Contact Lens Society of America’s (CLSA) 52nd Annual Education Meeting will take place at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix from April 12-21, 2007. Attendees will
have access to 39 hours of N.C.L.E. Continuing Education credit. Visit
http://www.clsa.info for registration information and the most up-to-date program agenda.
Real-World Advantages
A traditional ballast lens design means more interaction between the contact lens and lid, causing less stability when the eye is open. The Accelerated Stabilization Design (ASD) of
ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM means less interaction between the lens and the lid. The design breakthrough of the ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand for ASTIGMATISM offers real-world
results for your patients: crisp, stable vision throughout daily activities and superior rotational stability. Patients reported very good or excellent vision during night driving, while playing or watching sports,
or working on a computer. With ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ for ASTIGMATISM, the difference is clear to your patients. And now, ACUVUE ADVANCE for ASTIGMATISM meets more patients' needs with the introduction of -2.25
cylinder.
--ADVERTISING
FDA Approves Alcon’s AcrySof ReSTOR
Alcon announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval of the AcrySof ReSTOR apodized diffractive aspheric intraocular lens for the visual correction of
aphakia following cataract surgery in adult patients, with or without presbyopia. The company said it will begin a phased commercial launch of this new lens after necessary consignment quantities are established, with
full distribution expected by mid-year.
CLAO ERF to Award Research Grants
The Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists Education and Research Foundation (CLAO ERF) Board of Trustees announced the availability of a minimum of three Scientific Research grants
of up to $10,000 to be awarded on July 1, 2007. The awards are intended to provide support for research proposals specifically related to contact lens science and/or ocular anterior segment science. Awards will be
made on the basis of scientific merit. Ophthalmologists, optometrists and basic scientists are eligible to apply as are technicians, nurses optometry students, ophthalmology residents and fellows when supervised by a
scientist associated with an academic institution. The deadline for submissions is March 30, 2007. Grant applications are available on the CLAO member
Web site, http://www.clao.org, or
by calling 1-877-501-3937.
Eschenbach Offers Low Vision Seminar
Eschenbach Optik’s low vision seminar, “Low Vision Care … What’s it All About?” is approved for three continuing education credits by ABO, JCAHPO and ACVREP. The course covers topics
such as the causes of low vision, marketing low vision services, seven steps to dispensing low vision aids and features a hands-on learning session in which attendees can try a variety of low vision aids. Seminars
are currently scheduled in three cities during the month of April:
• April 3 Oakland, Calif.
• April 18 Jackson Hole, Wyo.
• April 25 Cincinnati
Visit http://www.eschenbach.com for more information.
Abstract:
CL Dissatisfaction and Discontinuation
Researchers at the Ohio State University recently conducted a cross-sectional survey of 730 subjects to determine the frequency of and factors associated with contact lens dissatisfaction
and discontinuation. They used a self-administered survey to collect information about present age and sex, history of contact lens wear, types of lenses worn, age at onset of wear, current wearing schedule,
self-perceived contact lens satisfaction and contact lens-related problems. Of those surveyed, 453 (62%) reported current or previous experience with contact lenses. Of those, 119 (26%) reported that contact
lenses were not the ideal form of visual correction for them (dissatisfaction) and another 109 (24%) had permanently discontinued contact lens wear.
They found that dissatisfied contact lens wearers had
reduced self-reported wearing times compared with satisfied contact lens wearers. Previous lens wearers were more likely to be male, older (by about 9.5 years), have started contact lens wear at a later
age (four to five years later) and have tried either GP, or both soft and GP lenses. The primary self-reported reason for both contact lens dissatisfaction and discontinuation was ocular symptoms (dryness
and discomfort) followed by preference for another correction modality.
Investigators conclude that a significant number of contact lens wearers are not satisfied with contact lenses and are at risk for
discontinuation.
Richdale K, Sinnott LT, Skadahl E, Nicols JJ. Frequency of and factors associated with contact lens dissatisfaction and discontinuation. Cornea. 2007 Feb;26(2):168-74.
Editor's Commentary:
Global Keratoconus Congress A Huge Success
I've said for many years that I have never worked on anything as rewarding in my life that prompted others to approach me and say, “Thanks for your email," like
CLToday. It truly
amazes me. I don't take credit for the concept. I just know that my friend Ron Walker's idea was a good one and I just try to get it done every week with a staff that always delivers. Maybe now I've seen something
just as amazing.
Some years ago, I had hoped that we could create an international meeting about keratoconus. Thanks to
Contact Lens Spectrum, LWW VisionCare Group, and its Health Care Conference Group, this became a
reality. I worked with a wonderful group of colleagues on our Education Committee, Craig Norman, F.C.L.S.A., Ed Bennett, O.D., Ms.Ed., F.A.A.O., Pat Caroline, F.A.A.O. and Eef van der Worp, B.Sc., F.A.A.O., to make
it all happen. The National Keratoconus Foundation was involved as well and we contributed part of the proceeds from the meeting to their worthy cause.
I have never seen more positive comments about a meeting in
my life (literally hundreds). Last weekend in Las Vegas, we heard about myriad topics including the molecular genetics of keratoconus, how to fit a scleral lens, how to bill for your services and how to help your
patients cope with their disease. Thanks to all of you who made this possible, including our publisher for shouldering the financial risk and to all who lectured and attended. Our patients with keratoconus would be
proud. We will share more information in Contact Lens Spectrum in the coming months.
Fitting Tip:
Check Clarity Difference
If your patient's cylinder measures 0.75D to 1.25D in the refraction, take a moment to check their clarity difference with 0.50 cyl. When there is little or no difference, you can often
succeed with a good spherical contact lens.
Michael Molamphy, O.D.
Stockton, Calif.
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, review the results of a study on non-compliance in contact lens wearers, learn about
piggyback fittings of silicone hydrogels for post-surgical patients, consider the benefits and challenges of spherical lens, soft lenses and silicone hydrogel lenses for toric lens wearers, and evaluate the fitting
practices of Canadian optometrists from 2000-2006.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
Access a
reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web
site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print it out and fax it to (866)
886-6164.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is selected as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free golf
shirt (see http://www.CLToday.com for details). Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
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