CONTACT LENSES TODAY

March 27, 2005

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 10,000 readers in 74 countries.


CL Complaints? Keep 'Em Coming!
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), its Washington office staff recently delivered hundreds of complaints from optometrists nationwide concerning mail-order contact lens prescription verification abuses. They urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate corrective action and the FTC responded by asking the AOA to continue bringing complaints to its attention.
In related news, a decorative lens safety bill (S. 172), which the AOA backed, received committee approval on March 9, 2005 and will soon head to the Senate floor.

ACUVUE ADVANCE Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR provide 97% of all the oxygen that would be available if you weren't wearing lenses at all. However, there are many other valuable properties besides oxygen that may influence long-term corneal health, comfort and, ultimately, patient satisfaction. These properties include moisture, modulus (stiffness), UV protection, and lens design and fit. ACUVUE ADVANCE with HYDRACLEAR delivers all the oxygen benefits of silicone, while providing all day comfort, Class 1 UV protection†* and the fit and feel of a traditional hydrogel.
† Helps protect against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye.
* WARNING: UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed. NOTE: Long term exposure to UV radiation is one of the risk factors associated with cataracts. Exposure is based on a number of factors such as environmental conditions (altitude, geography, cloud cover) and personal factors (extent and nature of outdoor activities). UV-Blocking contact lenses help provide protection against harmful UV radiation. However, clinical studies have not been done to demonstrate that wearing UV-Blocking contact lenses reduces the risk of developing cataracts or other eye disorders. Consult your eye care practitioner for more information.

http://www.ecp.acuvue.com

--ADVERTISING

Abstract: Determining the Incidence of Keratitis Among Current-Generation CLs
In a study to determine the incidence of non-severe keratitis (NSK) and severe keratitis (SK) among wearers of current-generation contact lenses, researchers found a significantly higher incidence of SK in wearers who sleep in contact lenses compared to those who only use lenses during waking hours. They suggest that practitioners advise patients who choose to sleep in lenses to wear silicone hydrogel lenses, which carry a five times decreased risk of SK for extended wear compared with hydrogel lenses. Researchers reached these conclusions after conducting a 12-month, prospective, hospital-based epidemiological study examining all contact lens wearers presenting with a corneal infiltrate/ulcer to a hospital center in Manchester, UK. The researchers used a clinical serverity matrix to differentiate between NSK and SK, based on the severity of signs and symptoms. During the survey period, 80 and 38 patients presented with NSK and SK, respectively. The difference in SK between EW hydrogel and EW silicone hydrogel was significant (p = 0.04).
Morgan PB, Efron N, Hill EA, Raynor MK, Whiting MA, Tullo AB. Incidence of Keratitis of Varying Severity Among Contact Lens Wearers British Journal of Ophthalmology 2005 March;89:430-436.


Editor's Commentary: Reporting CL Verification Tactics
Here's an interesting comment from a reader:
I oversee the contact lens department in the practice where I'm employed. I have encountered an instance in which a patient has been ordering contact lenses through a third-party vendor who has been filling the prescription with an entirely different brand and diameter lens than has been prescribed. I'm wondering if there is a Web site or an organization to which I could report this type of activity. I've noticed that you can report adverse reactions to the FDA, but I haven't noted anything regarding dispensing improper products to a patient. I submitted a complaint to the FTC earlier this week, and have already received a response. They have noted the complaint in their retention system and have stated that they do not handle individual complaints, however, if they note a pattern of possible violations developing, they can begin an investigation. It would be wonderful if everyone knew that this is an option to report such incidences; would this be something you might include in a future mailing of Contact Lenses Today? If our industry is aware these incidences can be reported easily, they may be more apt to do something about the prescriptions that are being filled incorrectly. Again, I would like to thank you for your help with this. --Christy Means
Submit complaints regarding contact lens prescription filling to FTC at http://www.ftc.gov


Fitting Tip: Vertex Correction Power
I would like to respond to Dr. Ng's fitting tip "Prescribing for Myopia" (March 6, 2005). He states that he undercorrects by 0.25D or 0.50D of myopia the expected vertex correction for a new patient. Based on my clinical experience, you usually can't prescribe a contact lens based on the exact vertex correction. The professors in school taught us to do this. However, we should prescribe most brands of contact lenses 0.25D less than the vertex correction to be accurate. For example, a patient who refracts as -3.00D sphere should normally be dispensed a contact lens power of -2.75D. A careful over-refraction will easily confirm this. The exception to this is lenses such as CIBA's Night & Day, in which we should give the full vertex correction.
In addition, many patients in their mid-30s have myopia that tends to slightly decrease over time. These patients end up doing well with a reduction in their habitual contact lens prescription. Other patients need less myopic correction if you have them cut back on their overnight wear.
In summary, Dr. Ng's technique of giving less minus isn't undercorrecting, but actually prescribing the correct power, which shouldn't normally be the vertex correction power.
--Daniel S. Meltzer, O.D.
Iselin, N.J.


Gear Yourself Up for the Global Orthokeratology Symposium (GOS) (July 28 to 31, 2005 in Chicago, Ill. -- for the first time in the U.S.A.)
The only worldwide meeting focused solely on orthokeratology/corneal reshaping. Register by April 30, 2005 to save $50 off the full symposium price.
--ADVERTISING


This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, challenge any lingering doubts about the benefits of these lenses, read about the advantages of using a proactive approach to contact lens fitting and learn about the benefits of these lenses for contact lens-wearing patients who have seasonal allergies.
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 golf 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, issue archives and discussion forums. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips and Photo Clinic, sponsored by Ocular Sciences.
CLToday Services: Subscribe; Change or Remove your e-mail address; submit news to news@cltoday.com; or, fax 1-215-643-3902.
Contact Lenses Today and CLToday are registered trademarks of Boucher Communications, Inc. ©2005 Boucher Communications, Inc.
This has been a BCI e-mail communication. If you prefer not to receive e-mail from us, please use the following link
to remove your e-mail address from our list: Removal Request | View our Privacy Policy

You are receiving this e-mail because you have agreed to receive e-mail communications from Boucher Communications, Inc
Boucher Communications, Inc. - 1300 Virginia Drive Suite 400 Fort Washington PA 19034 | 215-643-8000
Boucher Communications e-mail program complies with the Federal Can-Spam Act of 2003

Please take a moment to make sure your newsletters don't get marked as spam.
Add bci@bci-media.com to your 'approved senders' list or address book.