CONTACT LENSES TODAY
February 26, 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.
B&L Launches PureVision Multifocal in U.S., Gains Indication For GPs
Bausch & Lomb announced it will launch its PureVision
Multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia in the U.S. over the next three months. The
lens combines the company’s SofLens multifocal design with enhanced aspheric optics on the anterior surface of the lens. PureVision is approved for daily or extended wear
up to 30 days and is intended for monthly replacement.
The FDA also approved an expanded indication for the company’s Boston XO (hexafocon A), Boston EO (enflufocon B)
and Boston ES (enflufocon A) gas permeable (GP) lenses for use in post-surgical situations. These lenses can now be prescribed in non-diseased eyes that require a GP lens to
manage irregular corneal conditions or following penetrating keratoplasty or refractive surgery.
Eyefinity Partners With VeraSuite
Eyefinity has completed integration with Universal Software Solutions’ VeraSuite ophthalmic practice management software. The windows-based
software offers integrated solutions for managing an eye care office. VeraSuite clients can now access Eyefinity’s online services.
B&L Cooperates With Investigation
Bausch & Lomb voluntarily agreed to suspend sales of ReNu brand contact lens solutions in Hong Kong and Singapore while the Ministry of Health
investigates reports of fungal keratitis. The company is working closely with the scientific investigation to determine the cause of the unusually high incidence of fungal
keratitis. The Ministry reports 34 of 39 people in Singapore and 12 of 16 patients in Hong Kong who contracted the infection since 2005, used ReNu. B&L says there is
absolutely no scientific evidence that the ReNu brand in any way caused or is related to the increase in reports of infection. The Singapore Ministry of Health has reported
that poor compliance with appropriate lens care procedures is a factor in most of the cases there.
There have been no unusual spikes in reports of fungal keratitis in
other markets. B&L will continue to monitor the situation and stay in close contact with regulatory officials during the investigation. They also urge patients to comply
with their eye care provider’s recommended cleaning and care regimen.
Wet Lens, Patient Satisfaction
Among those ages 35-49, 65% of patients who consider dropping out of contact lens wear cite dryness sensation as a key
reason. ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus are made from senofilcon A, a next generation silicone hydrogel material. The
proprietary formulation includes a remarkable moisture-rich wetting agent and no surface coating. The senofilcon A material balances properties to meet the demands
of contact lens wearers in environments that can make eyes feel tired and dry. This breakthrough material creates a lens so moist and smooth that an eyelid glides
effortlessly over it. ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses can help keep your patients in contact lenses by increasing their comfort and also giving them
crisp vision and healthy lens wear. http://www.ecp.acuvue.com
--ADVERTISING
Abstract:
Specially Designed Lens for Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Researchers in Halle, Germany recently conducted a study to quantify corneal irregularities and describe the fitting of lenses. They
also aimed to determine whether a contact lens with a special back surface design could improve visual acuity in patients with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration
(PMCD). Specially designed contact lenses were fit on 13 eyes and followed for an average of 22 months and assessed with videokeratographic data. All PMCD subjects
experienced increased acuity by an average of 2.7 lines. Researchers observed no serious complications. They conclude that quantitative analysis of videokeratographic
data
may aid in the diagnosis of PMCD and that contact lenses with a special back-surface design may improve visual acuity and lens tolerance in these
patients.
Gruenauer-Kloevekorn C, Fischer U, Kloevekorn-Norgall K, Duncker G. Pellucid marginal corneal degeneration: evaluation of the corneal surface and
contact lens fitting. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):318-23.
Editor's Commentary:
Contact Lens Patients More Profitable
I think we'd all agree, first of all, that each and every patient is valuable from a human point of view. We want to provide them with the
best possible eye health care. As we do so, we want to profit. It's not a bad word. This past Wednesday night at the SECO meeting in Atlanta,
Contact Lens Spectrum
sponsored a presentation by Professor Mark Ritson, Ph.D., currently of the Melbourne Business School and formerly of the London Business School. He presented results
from the London Business School study sponsored by Euromcontact. The study in five European countries, with 32,000 data points indicates that, in the long run, contact
lens patients are more profitable than spectacle-only patients. The data is consistent with previous studies published in
Contact Lens Spectrum by Drs. Hanks, Pier, and
Christensen. In the long-term, your contact lens practice segment is more profitable than the spectacle-only practice segment. So why don't more practitioners recommend
contact lenses to patients? Is it fear of failure? That fear should be diminished with new technology lenses. Maybe it’s fear of chair time? This factor was taken into
account in these studies. Or perhaps, it’s just force of habit? Probably.
We will have more to say about this topic. Stay tuned and please feel free to
comment.
Fitting Tip:
Regarding Biocompatibility of Contact Lenses
In response to Dr. Milleson's Tip of the Month (2/16/06), I agree that vision is much different in silicone hydrogel lenses. However, a
large majority of patients are already over-minused, thanks to corneal edema. I always educate my patients about the initial lens awareness they may notice with the new
material, as well as initial visual blur, which I attribute to their corneal edema. Often times, this blur is very minimal. After a few months and the resolution of the
edema, the blur tends to wear off and the once over-minused contact is now right on. So, it’s important not only to advise patients about increased lens sensation, but
also to educate them on vision changes that will improve over time with these newer, healthier lenses. In fact, most patients like hearing that their prescription has
improved or is unchanged, and it’s even easier for them to understand the value of a healthier lens.
Dave Anderson, O.D.
Miamisburg, Ohio
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org , learn how to manage refractive shift in patients
refit from hydrogel to silicone hydrogel lenses; read about an 11-year-old‚s successful, long-term use of a silicone hydrogel piggyback system; learn whether topography
can predict best-fit base curve; and read a synopsis of Academy 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.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is selected
as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free T-shirt (see http://www.CLToday.com for details). Please include your full name,
degree or title and city/state/country.
Visit Contact Lens Spectrum ( http://www.clspectrum.com ) for interactive clinical posters and issue
archives. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips.
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