CONTACT LENSES TODAY

May 11, 2003

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches 9,324 readers in 74 countries.

Trial Results Show Promise for Retisert
The results of the intent-to-treat analysis of 12-month data for the phase III clinical trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the Retisert implant for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) were presented by Dr. P. Andrew Pearson at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting last week. Eighty patients were randomized to receive standard of care (macular grid laser or observation) or either a 0.5-mg or a 2-mg Retisert implant (fluocinolone acetonide). More than 70% of patients treated with the 0.5-mg implant had improved visual acuity (15+ letters) compared to 50% treated with standard of care (p=0.08). More patients in the standard of care group had a worsening of their diabetic retinopathy score at 12 months (29.6%) compared to those receiving the 0.5-mg implant (5.1%). To view the full press release, visit http://www.bausch.com/us/vision/about/news/pressrelease.jsp?pressRelease=2003_05_07_DME.html

GOS Receives Grant from CLMA
The Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) Board of Directors recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Global Orthokeratology Society (GOS) for the sponsorship of educators from teaching institutions in the United States to attend the GOS meeting in Toronto, Canada this August. CLMA members place a premium on providing education for the eyecare professional.

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.
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CIBA Vision Helps ICEE
CIBA Vision-Novartis has made the International Centre for Eye Care Education (ICEE) Aboriginal Program its Charity of Choice for its 2003 Charity Day. The CIBA Vision-Novartis staff has raised $2,000 for the Program from a lunch fundraiser and ICEE employees helped the management team and other CIBA Vision-Novartis volunteers sort through 23,000 lenses (donated by Hoya Lens Australia), which will be used within the Aboriginal Eyecare Program.

Paragon Rewards Knowledge About CRT
This past March, Paragon Vision Sciences conducted its second successful ghost caller promotion for Paragon Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT). Paragon representatives called the practices of more than 100 certified Paragon CRT practitioners and secretly quizzed them about Paragon CRT and overnight contact lens corneal reshaping. The majority of successful calls reached knowledgeable and confident staff members, who received a variety of gifts. The company plans to continue to sponsor promotions designed to motivate practitioners and their staff.

Abstract: Predisposition to Mucin Ball Formation
Using data from a clinical trial where subjects wore either conventional hydrogel (N=69, six-night extended wear) or silicone hydrogel (N=70, 30-night extended wear) contact lenses for 12 months, researchers rated each patient's number of mucin balls and other physiological responses, lens fit performance and subjective responses to lens wear at scheduled visits. The investigators found that the silicone hydrogel group had significantly greater numbers of mucin balls compared with subjects in the conventional hydrogel group over time (p<0.001), but no significant difference in the percentage of subjects with mucin balls between the two groups. The study indicates that a subset of the population is predisposed to develop mucin balls irrespective of the soft lens type worn, but lens type influences the degree of mucin ball formation.
Tan, J; Keay, L; Jalbert, I; Naduvilath, TJ; Sweeney, DF; Holden, BA. Mucin Balls With Wear of Conventional and Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses. Optom Vis Sci 2003 Apr;80(4):291-7.

Editor's Commentary: Full Speed Ahead for GOS
The GOS is scheduled for this August 7 through 10 in Toronto and we believe it will be even larger and better than last year's symposium on contact lens corneal reshaping. A few people have asked us about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) concerns. We have every reason to believe, based on close monitoring of reports from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, that we can safely continue this meeting in Toronto. We look forward to seeing you there.
http://www.healthcareconferencegroup.com/conferences.asp?conf=9

Fitting Tip: Encouraging Patients to Try CLs
"Would you prefer clear contact lenses or colored contact lenses that change the color of your eyes?" When presented this way, many patients become aware of another option and are excited about trying contact lenses in general. We should always try to encourage our patients to have fun with their lenses!
-- Heidi Ying, O.D., Binghamton, N.Y.

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