CONTACT LENSES TODAY

March 16, 2003

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches 9,313 readers in 74 countries.

O.D.s Positive About Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
Out of the more than 200 eyecare practitioners CIBA Vision surveyed via e-mail, 80% agreed that silicone hydrogel contact lenses are the most significant development in contact lenses since disposable lenses were introduced. Based on fitting experiences, 78% of surveyed O.D.s said that their opinions about fitting this modality are either much more favorable or somewhat more favorable than they were when the lenses first became available. Nineteen percent said their opinions were unchanged and two percent reported a somewhat less favorable opinion.

Berkeley Chemist Honored for Contact Lens Research
Clayton J. Radke recently received the 2003 Award in Colloid Chemistry from the American Chemical Society for his research at interfaces (surfaces such as those between contact lens and the eye). He and his research team go to optometrists' offices to measure how contact lenses move, squeeze and sweep on the eyes of actual patients. His goal is to assemble and understand the most complete picture possible so researchers can develop even safer extended wear lenses.

CV ENCORE TORIC: So Much More Than Just "Location, Location, Location." It's patient preference, parameter range and in-stock product availability. Recent studies show that 95% of patients prefer CV Encore Toric to the leading disposable toric. And with the addition of a -2.25D cylinder power and sphere powers from +6.00D to -8.00D, you can now fit more of your patients with the most advanced disposable toric. Plus, you'll appreciate more than 99% in-stock product availability. For more information on this outstanding toric lens, contact CooperVision at (800) 341-2020 or visit the Web site at http://www.coopervision.com.
--ADVERTISING

Lens Manufactured Based on Epicon Design
Unique Contact Lens Manufacturing Company is manufacturing lenses based on the Epicon lens design. The lenses are manufactured in any GP material including Unique's ST3 material, which has a specific gravity of only 1.08 and a Dk of twice the original Epicon lens, according to the manufacturer. Five edge lift designs are available. Unique also manufactures semi-scleral lens designs and cosmetic lenses. E-mail Unique Contact Lens Manufacturing at uniquecl@telusplanet.com.

CLMA Announces Seal of Excellence Results
The Contact Lens Manufacturers Association has announced the results of the Seal of Manufacturing Excellence Awards for 2003-2004. Twenty two of this year's participants showed the highest level of achievement in the 10-year history of the quality review of GP contact lenses. Those labs awarded include: Accu-Lens, Inc.; Con-Cise Contact Lens Co.; Corneal Design; Corneal Lens Laboratory; Diversacon Contact Lens; Firestone Optics, Inc.; IVM Corporation; International Contact Lens Labs, Inc.; Lens Dynamics; Luzerne Optical Laboratories, Ltd.; Paracon, Inc.; Precision Optics, Inc.; four Soderberg Contact Lens locations; three Tru-Form Optics, Inc. locations; Valley Contax; Westlens; and Winchester Optical Co.

Editor's Commentary: How Often Should You See CL Patients?
This is a common question that has no perfect answer. I have seen many an instant where ophthalmologists have criticized other eyecare providers for recommending too frequent eye exams. Most contact lens practitioner would never think of not trying to follow up on a contact lens patient yearly, or even at six months for extended or continuous wear patients. Certainly this is the American Optometric Association Optometric Clinical Practice Guideline in its "Care of the Contact Lens Patient." Some will say that this is a justification for "overutilization" or for free gouging. In fact it's good preventative care and a means to good compliance and safety.

Fitting Tip: Preventing Incorrect Lens Insertion
Wearers of soft torics with prism ballast will experience significant blur and discomfort, even blepharospasm at times, when the prism portion of the lens is mispositioned upon insertion. Part of the problem lies in the fact that the manufacturer's markings are often difficult to discern with the naked eye. To prevent misinsertion, I suggest that the patient instead look at the inside edges of the contact lens and note where the peripheral area is thinnest. This area of least prism, of course, needs to be rotated on the finger such that it will arrive on the eye at the twelve o'clock position.
-- Gary Roght, O.D.
Jerusalem, Israel

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