CONTACT LENSES TODAY
February 8, 2004
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches nearly 10,000 readers in 74
countries.
Eye Disease a Risk Factor for Sleep Disorders
In the February issue of Ophthalmology, researchers reported the results of their 14-day study, in which they compared the sleep-wake cycles of two groups of
individuals (25 visually impaired people aged 12 to 20 and 12 normally sighted people). The study showed that subjects who have optic nerve disease were 20 times more likely to have pathologic
levels of daytime sleepiness than were the subjects who have normal sight. The results also pointed out that people who have optic nerve disease also had highly variable wake-up times and had
greater difficulty falling asleep than the normal group. One researcher explained that the results lead to the unexpected conclusions that eye disease is a risk factor for sleep disorders and
whether the optic nerve is healthy or diseased strongly influences the risk of sleep disorders. The researchers advise eyecare practitioners to keep these findings in mind when treating patients
who have optic nerve diseases.
NEI Releases National Plan for Eye and Vision Research
The National Eye Institute (NEI) recently published its latest planning document, "National Plan for Eye and Vision Research," which provides a view of the state of
vision research and identifies the most pressing scientific needs and opportunities. The National Plan addresses each of the NEI's major programs (Retinal Diseases; Corneal Diseases; Lens and
Cataract; Glaucoma and Optic Neuropathies; Strabismus; Amblyopia and Visual Processing; Low Vision and Blindness Rehabilitation; and National Eye Health Education). The plan is available at
http://www.nei.nih.gov/strategicplanning.
FRESHLOOK DIMENSIONS -- A SUPERIOR ENHANCER LENS
Light-eyed patients prefer the natural hues and patterns of FreshLook Dimensions to first generation, monochromatic enhancer tints. Why settle for yesterday's
look?
FreshLook Color Contacts -- Creating beautiful eyes (http://www.cibavision.com)
--ADVERTISING
PatientWire Catching Appeal
Wolf Bioscience recently announced that its e-commerce product PatientWire has been running successfully in hundreds of practices over the past year. According to
the company, PatientWire offers real e-commerce from the doctor's own Web site, with orders automatically sent to the distributors of the doctor's choice. All orders are then drop-shipped to the
patient and the system even does automated follow-up with the patient for all orders. For more information, visit http://www.patientwire.com.
CLES in Review
The past Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium (CLES) attracted 15% more attendees than last year's meeting -- and from 48 states and 24 foreign countries. NASA
astronaut Story Musgrave gave the keynote presentation. He spoke about his role in repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and about his many life experiences. To view images from the meeting,
visit http://www.cles.info/media/. CLES 2005 will be held at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina on January 19-23.
Minor Correction
In last week's edition of CLToday, we inadvertently reworded a quote in the Euclid item. Here is the correct information, in the form of an excerpt from the
FDA's letter to Euclid Systems Corporation, courtesy of the company:
In a letter dated September 30, 2003, "The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has completed its review of your premarket approval application (PMA). CDRH is pleased to inform you that the PMA is approvable. Be advised that the FDA is continuing to
review your labeling and will communicate any remaining changes via phone and fax."
Abstract:
Ulcers Form Despite Compliance with CL Care
Researchers reviewed the charts of 70 patients who had contact lens-related corneal ulcers from July 1999 to June 2002 to report a case series of compliant patients
who had no apparent predisposing factors. They recorded lens care hygiene, method of disinfection and frequency of lens replacement and only included patients who followed recommended guidelines
for contact lens wear. Of the 70 patients, 21 developed corneal ulcers despite compliance with lens wear guidelines. The researchers concluded that standard lens care hygiene doesn't seem to be
sufficient in preventing the development of corneal ulcers in patients using conventional and frequent replacement daily wear soft contact lenses.
Najjar DM, Aktan SG, Rapuano CJ, Laibson
PR, Cohen EJ. Contact Lens-Related Corneal Ulcers in Compliant Patients American Journal of Ophthalmology 2004 Jan;137(1):170-172.
Editor's Commentary:
Word From the Front on CL Rx Acceptance
Some of our colleagues started giving contact lens prescriptions to all of their patients and have consequently obtained some informative feedback. First of all,
many patients (perhaps 40%) will tell you that they do not need or want the prescription. You may want to make a note in your medical record that the patient declined a copy of their prescription.
Also, as this new process is put into place and as supplies begin to increase their diligence (hopefully), more patients will call you for an exam and contact lens evaluation because the supplier
will tell them that they don't have a current prescription.
Fitting Tip:
LASIK Patients Who Consider Contact Lenses Again
Here's a clinical dilemma: A 53-year-old "good" LASIK result patient who has "monovision" LASIK and who has mildly reduced, unaided VA and halo with plano -1.00 WTR
cylinder in one eye and -1.00 -1.00 WTR in the other eye and who's inquiring about corneal reshaping therapy or willing to wear extended wear GP lenses for better vision, presbyopia and
convenience. CRT in it's current form isn't likely to help the presbyopia and there's some concern (although a few anecdotal "successes" have been reported) about flap separation and EW GP
lens wear isn't highly recommended even if the GP lens provided improved vision or a multifocal effect.
As always, we hope our readers will comment on this challenging case.
--Joseph T.
Barr, OD, MS, FAAO
Columbus, Ohio
Prepare for the Global Orthokeratology Symposium (GOS)
(July 22-25, 2004 Toronto, Canada)
A faculty of international experts will present more than 20 hours of CE courses. Also, simultaneous language translation
services will be available in German, French, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese for our international attendees.
http://www.gos2004.com
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
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