CONTACT LENSES TODAY
August 19, 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.
CLC Survey: Many Patients not Aware of New CL Options
The results of the Contact Lens Council’s (CLC) “Eye on Innovations” survey show that consumers aren’t aware of all their current contact lens options. The survey was conducted among 500
participants between the ages of 18 and 65 from May 1 to 2, 2007. More than 83% of respondents say they would like to try contact lenses if they are available to satisfy their individual eye care needs. Participants
are reportedly unaware of some of the major advancements in contact lenses:
• New materials, specifically silicone hydrogel (69%)
• Lenses with UV protection (55%)
• Multifocals (40%)
• Toric
lenses for astigmatism (23%)
Among other findings, the survey also revealed that many respondents are not properly caring for their lenses:
• More than 44% of CL wearers always or occasionally top-off their
contact lens solution
• 46% clean their lens case after each use
• 49% wear lenses longer than recommended.
Additional findings and information on proper lens care are available at
http://www.mycontactlenses.org.
Coastal Launches MPS
Coastal Contacts Inc. has launched its own private label, Healthy Eyes Multipurpose Solution (MPS) for soft contact lenses. The company says its solution can be used to clean, disinfect,
rinse, store and remove protein deposits from soft contact lenses. The product is designed as a rub and rinse solution, which the company says is the most effective method of removing protein deposits from soft
lenses.
AccuLens Introduces Clarity Plus
AccuLens recently introduced its Clarity Plus Extended Add aspheric GP multifocal lens. It is indicated for high presbyopic prescriptions from 2.25D to 3.50D add power and is recommended
in Paragon GP material. The company is offering a promotion, through which, practitioners who fit three new patients with any pair of Clarity Plus Extended Add lenses in Paragon material will receive a $25 Visa gift
card. Visit
http://www.acculens.com for more information.
Increased Comfort Delivers Lasting Patient Satisfaction
Nothing drives referrals like satisfied patients. And nothing satisfies patients like the comfort and minimal corneal staining that can be provided by ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with
HYDRACLEAR™ Plus. In a recent clinical study, new wearers exhibited no significant difference in corneal staining and reported no significant difference in overall comfort between ACUVUE® OASYS™ and
no lens. And in an in-market trial, 89% of patients fit with ACUVUE® OASYS™ would recommend their doctors based on their experience. How will you satisfy your patients and build your practice with
ACUVUE® OASYS™?
More About ACUVUE® OASYS®
Important Safety Information
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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
http://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.
--ADVERTISING
B&L to Hold Vote on Proposed Merger
Bausch & Lomb (B&L) has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission definitive proxy materials in connection with the its pending merger agreement with Warburg
Pincus (see CLToday, May 16, 2007). The company has also scheduled a special meeting of its shareholders on September 21 at 10:00am, to consider and vote upon the proposed merger. B&L’s Board of
Directors unanimously approved the Warburg Pincus transaction and recommends shareholders do the same.
AOA Warns Children at Risk for CVS
According to VSP Vision Care, nearly half of U.S. children spend four or more hours a day using a computer or similar device. The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2007
American Eye-Q survey showed that only 16% of respondents are “very” or “extremely” worried about their children damaging their eyes by prolonged use of computers and electronic portable devices. Further, 44% of
parents don’t realize that behavioral problems can be an indication that a child’s vision is impaired. The AOA offers these tips for parents:
• Have your child’s vision checked before beginning
school.
• Strictly enforce the amount of time that children may continuously use the computer, with a 20 second break for every 20 minutes of use.
• Check the height and arrangement of the
computer, which are generally adjusted for adults.
• Check the lighting for glare on the computer screen (try holding a mirror flat against the screen to look for light sources reflecting off
the screen).
• Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer.
For additional information on CVS, visit
http://www.aoa.org.
Abstract:
Using Software to fit GP CLs
Researchers in the U.K. recently conducted a comparative, prospective study to explore the success of the application of a computerized videokeratography (CVK) software system
for the fitting of GP contact lenses (CL) on irregular surfaces and to compare this method with the standard diagnostic fitting procedure. The study took place over a one-year period and included 41 GP
wearers (68 eyes) with irregular corneal surfaces. Of these, 51 (75%) had keratoconus, seven (10%) had corneal scarring (infectious or traumatic), six (7%) had corneal transplants, two (3%) had astigmatism
and two (3%) had aphakia. They re-fit each eye with a new GP lens based on topographical measurement in conjunction with a CL fitting software program. The investigators then evaluated visual outcome, fitting
characteristics and efficiency of the fitting procedure.
Of the 68 eyes involved in the study, 53 (78%) chose the CL fitted using the CVK software system, nine (13%) chose the CL fitted
using the standard procedure and six (9%) had no preference. Investigators found a statistically significant improvement regarding visual outcome and efficiency (number of trial lenses required) with the CL
fitted using CVK software. They conclude that the application of a CVK software system for the fitting procedure of GP lenses on irregular corneal surfaces was safe and shown to be more successful and efficient
than the standard diagnostic fitting method.
Nosch DS, Ong GL, Mavrikakis I, Morris J. The application of a computerized viedokeratography (CVK) based contact lens fitting software programme on irregularly shaped corneal surfaces. Cont Lens Anterior
Eye. 2007 Aug 2;[Epub ahead of print}.
Editor's Commentary:
CL Comfort
Comfort remains a hot topic in the contact lens and solution industries. Comfort continues to receive a lot of press and there is much discussion on the subject among eye care
practitioners. Maybe your practice is different, but I don’t have a lot of patients with complaints of discomfort. I don't mean that no one expresses contact lens discomfort, but it’s certainly not an epidemic
as is sometimes suggested. I have noticed that some of those who claim their eyes feel good or adequate with their contact lenses either don't know or have forgotten how good their lenses could and should feel. This
is most easily witnessed when a patient accepts my recommendation for a new lens material (or modality) and the new material is applied in office. Many times, they rave about the comfort of the new lens material
when they had no initial complaints. I try to always recommend the best option in lens material, modality and care
system for my patient, regardless of whether they have an initial comfort complaint.
Carla Mack, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Fitting Tip:
Soft Multifocals
Now that we have the luxury of more options in soft multifocal contact lenses, it’s important that we select the best contact lens for our patients, based not only on the design or
disposal schedule, but also the material and biomimetic properties of the lens. For instance, multifocals approved for extended wear are an excellent option for those wanting extended or flexible wear. And low
water content silicone hydrogels are a great option for dry eye patients.
Kathryn Richdale, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O.
Columbus, Ohio.
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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