CONTACT LENSES TODAY

August 12, 2007

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Carla Mack and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.


CooperVision Introduces 1 Day No Solution Kit
CooperVision is now offering an information kit designed to help you communicate the key benefits of the daily disposable modality to patients. The kit includes: a fitting set of ClearSight 1 Day contact lenses, 1 Day category brochure, chair side aid, poster and literature display. You can request the kit at www.coopervision.com/solutionkit.
     "While there is currently uncertainty regarding the relationship of no-rub multipurpose lens care solutions, lens-care regimens, and eye health, CooperVision 1 Day Disposables allow practitioners and patients to avoid the issue all together," said James Gardner, marketing director. "Daily disposable contact lenses are the ideal way to circumvent the current issues surrounding lens solutions."

Volk Optical Launches New Website
Volk Optical has launched a redesigned website, www.volk.com, featuring virtual trials and side-by-side comparisons of the company’s lenses with technical specifications, application information and usage details. It also allows users to experience views through each lens, showing static field of view in relation to the entire retina. Volk says it plans to continually update the site to enable users to select and obtain their lenses and equipment more easily.

Transitions Offers Bilingual Pocket Card
Transitions Optical has created the Bilingual Pocket Card, designed to help English-speaking eyecare professionals communicate with Spanish-speaking patients. The 5.5-by-7.5-inch card outlines three categories (lenses, frames and additional pairs, such as sunwear) of eyewear choices in English and Spanish, side by side, so that eyecare professionals and patients can simply point out their preferences. The card complements the Transitions Eyeglass Guide and directs consumers to eyeglassguide.com or aprendasobreanteojos.com for more information.

Superior Comfort in Daily Disposables Dry conditions. Active lifestyles. Ocular allergies. Simplify patients’ lives and maximize satisfaction with the comfort and convenience of 1•DAY ACUVUE® MOIST. Its unique LACREON™ Technology permanently embeds a wetting agent that will not blink away, so patients enjoy exceptional comfort throughout the day. 1•DAY ACUVUE® MOIST lenses are available in two base curves (8.5 mm, 9.0 mm) and one diameter (14.2 mm). To learn more, go to http://ecp.acuvue.com.
--ADVERTISING

Global Keratoconus Congress 2008
Contact Lens Spectrum and the LWW Health Care Conference Group will host the second Global Keratoconus Congress (GKC), January 25-27, 2008, at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. As with the 2007 meeting, the 2008 congress will include information for vision care professionals in all disciplines, with both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. GKC 2008 will also feature 15 new speakers providing hands-on workshops, strategies for irregular astigmatism and expert insights into fitting after surgery and corneal trauma. More than 500 participants attended the 2007 meeting, which was accredited for continuing education under COPE, NCLE and JCAHPO and offered 17.5 credit hours. Those interested in attending the 2008 Global Keratoconus Congress can visit www.GKCongress.com for more information or to register for this unique meeting. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Heather Seasholtz at 215-643-8073.
     Additionally, the Educational Program Committee of the Global Keratoconus Congress invites the submission of abstracts for the Free Papers and Scientific Posters Competition to be held January 25-27, 2008 in Las Vegas. Papers and Posters related to keratoconus, corneal topography, post penetrating keratoplasty or related irregular corneal surface, gas permeable lens and lens care topics are welcome. Please visit http://www.GKCongress.com for information.

Give Sight, Give Hope Join the World Sight Day Challenge on October 11, 2007. Optometry Giving Sight hopes practitioners will help give sight to the millions in need by: donating exam fees on World Sight Day, signing up for a regular monthly donation of $25, $50 or $100, and asking patients to add $5 to their invoices in October. Visit www.givingsight.org.
--ADVERTISING

Abstract: Bilateral AK
Researchers from Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals in the United Kingdom recently reported a case of bilateral, culture-positive Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in an experienced contact-lens wearer. A 44-year-old experienced, female contact lens wearer admitted to occasionally rinsing her contact-lens case in tap water and leaving it to air dry. The authors successfully treated with intensive topical polyhexamethyl biguanide and propamide isethionate in conjunction with a mydriatic agent, topical ofloxacin, and oral flurbiprofen and report that the AK resolved without sequelae. At six-month follow-up, the patient had a visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye.
     The investigators note that while bilateral AK is rare, it’s essential to properly educate patients about contact lens hygiene and disinfection. They further say that regular contact lens follow-up of patients is essential, and suggest lens storage and disinfection techniques be reviewed with the patient. They conclude use of single-use contact lens storage cases may be advantageous in reducing the incidence of bilateral disease after case contamination.
Voyatzis G, McElvanney A. Bilateral acanthamoeba keratitis in an experienced two-week disposable contact lens wearer. Eye Contact Lens. 2007 Jul;33(4):201-2.


Editor's Commentary: Patient Education
My colleague, Dr. Eric Ritchey of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, sent a recent news story about a champion boxer who was hospitalized with an eye infection (see link below). This athlete has no sight in the infected eye, which may cause him to forfeit his boxing career. This infection apparently stemmed from poor contact lens hygiene habits, specifically cleaning the contact lens in his mouth. Dr. Ritchey sent the story link to a number of us, all eye care practitioners, urging and reminding us to care for our patients by educating them at every visit on contact lens care and compliance. You may disagree, but I don't think we can repeat this message enough.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008127720
Carla Mack, O.D., F.A.A.O.


Fitting Tip: Piggybacking Soft CLs
If you need emergency contact lenses in high or unusual powers, keep in mind the possibility of piggybacking two soft contact lenses. Insertion of piggyback soft contact lenses is no different than normal insertion technique, just repeated. Caution patients that when they remove the lenses, however, they may well come out together. Instruct them to place the lenses in their hand with solution and gently rub to easily separate the lenses. You can also give patients an extra case for the "extra" lens.
Neil A. Pence, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Director, Contact Lens Research Clinic
Bloomington, Ind. 47405


This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org enter the topical discussion into the classification of silicone hydrogel lenses into specific categories. Follow the work of Dr Phil Morgan et al who have independently examined the oxygen permeability of current silicone hydrogel lenses using a new and repeatable technique, and read into the use of custom designed silicone hydrogel lenses.

Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.

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