CONTACT LENSES TODAY
February 12, 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.
Proposed CL Legislation In Utah
Senate Bill 176, titled Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act, would amend the Utah Optometry Practice Act and impose restrictions on contact
lenses similar to legislation that was recently proposed in the state of Indiana (see CLToday, January 22, 2006). If passed, the bill would prohibit optometrists from
prescribing any lens that is not certified by the manufacturer as available through alternate channels of distribution, with the exception of GP, keratoconus and
custom-designed contact lenses. However, the penalty imposed on eye care professionals is much harsher than that of the Indiana legislation. SB 176 stipulates that
anyone who violates the law would be subject to suspension or revocation of his or her license by the board. The bill also states that manufacturers who violate the
law are guilty of a class A misdemeanor and imposes a penalty of $1,000 for each violation.
A representative for contact lens manufacturer Vistakon says, “We believe that
no law should interfere with a physician's professional judgment in prescribing
the best product for the patient, or restrict a manufacturers right to determine
what channels of distribution to use for distributing their products.”
Unilens Applies Wavefront To CLs
Unilens Vision Inc. announces the first C-Vue aspheric, single-vision, two-week disposable soft contact lens for daily wear. The new lens
features wavefront technology for maximum aberration control. The company says this new lens is ideal for low astigmats and early presbyopes.
New Lens For Irregular Corneas
Lens Dynamics, manufacturer of the Rose K lens, introduces the new Dyna Z Cone Plus lenses for irregular corneal conditions. They are
recommended for centrally positioned, nipple type keratoconus. New features include larger back optical zones to reduce glare, increased and decreased edge configurations,
a standard peripheral system to accommodate more corneas and a flat/steep option that allows you to correct the standoff at 6 o’clock, according to the manufacturer.
Dryness = Dropouts
What effect does contact lens dryness have in your contact lens practice? Of the 31 million soft contact lens wearers, 21 million, or 67%,
self-report that eyes feel dry during contact lens wear. There are nearly 2.7 million contact lens dropouts annually. Many of these dropouts say dryness was a major reason
for discontinuing lens wear. Offering patients ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus, a lens designed to meet the demands of contact
lens wearers in environments that can make eyes feel tired and dry, can keep patients wearing their contact lenses longer and boost your contact lens practice.
--ADVERTISING
Industry Vet Joins Vistakon
Richard Clompus, O.D., is the new Director, Professional Development for Vistakon. He will be responsible for the company’s professional
development programs for current practitioners. Dr. Clompus has over 26 years of experience in the vision care industry. He most recently served as Vice President,
Professional Affairs for the Spectacle Lens Group of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.
Abstract:
Oxygen Permeability And CL Safety
Researchers at the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine in Kentucky reviewed the literature from 1966 to 2005 in an attempt to
summarize the present status of safety and efficacy of contact lens wear. They found improvements in oxygen permeability, lens and surface design and contact lens
solutions have reduced, but not eliminated, the risks of infection, inflammation and conjunctival papillary reaction associated with lens wear. They note that past
and recent history suggests patient education and practitioner participation will continue to be critical factors for patient satisfaction and safety in extended contact
lens wear. They conclude the availability of highly oxygen permeable contact lenses has increased the tolerance and safety of extended contact lens wear. However, they
also conclude that patient instruction and education in proper lens care is required and they advise caution.
Foulks GN. Prolonging contact lens wear and making
contact lens wear safer. Am J Ophthalmol. 2006 Feb;141(2):369-373.
Editor's Commentary:
Is Well-known Mail And Internet Retailer Alone?
Although I am no expert on the legislative process, it’s my observation that most people who lobby legislatures to introduce legislation
form collaborations and alliances with others of like mind. In the case of our first story, it seems that the company that would like the legislation passed is alone.
While the stated rationale for legislation is typically consumer protection and freedom, the motives are often economic. And both sides — those who support legislation
and those who oppose it — can’t deny the financial incentives. Nevertheless, often absent from these efforts to allow consumers to buy their contact lenses (with a
proper, verified prescription of course) anywhere and everywhere (including flea markets and tattoo shops, not to mention the Internet) is the issue of public safety.
While consumers need a variety of options from which they can purchase their lenses, practitioners and manufacturers should have a say in where their patients buy lenses,
whether they are private label or widely sold brand names. Would you want to see drugs sold (with a valid prescription of course) at flea markets and tattoo shops, or even
over the Internet, without proper validation of the prescription, whether the drug is brand name or generic? I think not.
Fitting Tip:
Fitting Silicone Hydrogels
The recent introduction of many new silicone hydrogel lenses can leave a practitioner wondering which lens to fit. It’s helpful to consider
the patient's corneal diameter (HVID) for initial lens selection. This measurement can be taken on most topographers or estimated closely with the slit beam turned
horizontally. Choose smaller diameter lenses for corneas 11.8mm or less and larger diameter lenses for corneas greater than 11.8mm. When considering base curve, optimal
fit may be achieved using flatter base curves on smaller corneas and steeper base curves on larger corneas. Considering these factors will promote better comfort and
prevent edge-related complications such as SEALs and CLPC in your silicone hydrogel patients.
Dianne Anderson, O.D.
Batavia, Ill.
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, track worldwide trends in silicone hydrogel fitting; examine the dynamic
mechanical properties, dynamic wettability and frictional properties of these lenses; read up on successful clinical strategies for maintaining patients‚ comfort and
ocular health with extended wear; and review new developments and information that came to light in 2005.
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.
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