CONTACT LENSES TODAY
February 5, 2006
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.
Eyefinity, Optifacts Interface
Eyefinity and Optifacts Inc. have completed an interface to improve electronic lab order management. With
the interface, electronic lab orders
submitted through the Eyefinity web site will be sent directly to the lab’s Optifacts management software via the Internet. Optifacts then sends order status information
back to Eyefinity, further automating communications and invoice payment processing.
Eyemaginations’ Software Upgrade
Eyemaginations Inc. introduces the latest version of its 3D Eye Office software version 4.1. The 3D animated, computer-based technology is
designed to help doctors inform and educate patients. Features of the new version include a simplified user interface, a new screensaver feature, a new animation index
with 75 new enhanced 3D animations, a choice of video or sketchpad modes and major additions on various medical diagnoses.
VISTAKON® has begun airing national TV advertising in support of their exciting new contact lens, ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact
Lenses for ASTIGMATISM, and to help increase patient visits.
One advertisement — titled “Twins” — targets a younger audience and is geared towards first time contact lens wearers with astigmatism. The
other — “A Day in the Life” — was created to appeal to a broader, more mature audience, including current toric wearers and dropouts. The commercials are to air on
stations such as FOX, WB, MTV, and USA. Tune in!
--ADVERTISING
Abstract:
Modified Lenses For Irregular Corneas
In a recent study, South African researchers explored the optical, clinical and subjective performance of a modified countersunk piggyback
lens (MCL) for the management of high regular and irregular corneal astigmatism. Ten patients who had failed management with conventional options participated in the study.
They found a significant improvement in the uncorrected vision, visual acuity and refractive status when patients wore the MCL. They noted no statistically significant
increase in adverse ocular responses and subjects indicated a strong acceptance level for the lens. The investigators conclude the custom piggyback MCL performed
successfully in the management of a range of high regular and irregular astigmatic conditions. They also note the lens was well accepted by subjects, despite
the additional cost and handling implications of the two lens system.
Mehta M, Bhagwanjee A, Hilliar O. A clinical and optical evaluation of a modified lens for irregular
corneae. Clin Exp Optom. 2006 Jan;89(1):30-6.
Editor's Commentary:
More Ways To Provide Contact Information
We continue to get feedback on how patients may best communicate with us. I just wish we were all as talented with new phone/PDAs as Dr.
Gee.
Dear CLToday: I have a suggestion in regard to the ongoing discussion about allowing patients to get in touch with you. In this day and age, fear is justified ...
the world just isn't as safe as it was in the past. However, technology is not the same either!
Make a way for your patients to get in touch with you. E-mail is just
perfect. I'm convinced that any health care provider who is truly interested in caring for his/her patients should carry a blackberry, treo, or PDA of his/her preference.
That way, your patients may e-mail you and you can return their call or e-mail. I have my e-mail address printed on my business cards and carry my blackberry everywhere I
go. If I get buzzed in the exam room, I tell patients they can get me the same way if they need to.
Kevin Gee, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Houston
Fitting Tip:
Switching Lenses
When fitting silicone hydrogel lenses on our current contact lens patients, it’s important to note their current replacement schedule. Most
patients are perfectly willing to pay a little more to "upgrade" from a current two-week lens to a two-week silicone hydrogel lens. However, if a patient is wearing lenses
on a one-month replacement schedule, they may balk at suddenly paying more than double for a lens on a two-week replacement schedule. You may end up refitting the patient
with a silicone hydrogel lens for one-month replacement. We have good options with both two-week and one-month lenses. If we pay a little extra attention up front, we can
save valuable chair time.
Susan Kovacich, O.D.
Bloomington, Ind.