CooperVision has once again expanded the parameters of its Biofinity silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The lens is now available in a broad sphere power range of +8.00D to -12.00D. "Now even more patients, especially those in need of higher plus and minus powers, can experience the benefit of our revolutionary lens material that offers exceptional comfort, health, and performance," said James Gardner, Director of Marketing, CooperVision.
     Biofinity monthly replacement silicone hydrogel lenses feature CooperVision's unique Aquaform technology, which creates a naturally wettable lens material without the need for wetting agents or surface treatments, according to the company. Aquaform technology incorporates longer-chain siloxane molecules, requiring less siloxane to be incorporated into the lens material for high levels of oxygen transmissibility. In addition, the comfilcon A lens material has a high Dk, but is a lower modulus. Per CooperVision, these characteristics deliver maximum comfort, optimal health, and excellent performance to the patient. Patients experience a softer, more wettable material that enhances comfort throughout the day.
     Additionally, the company states that the aspheric front surface lens design improves visual performance, and the single base curve and back surface design enables fast, easy alignment and a quicker fitting process. The company notes that a patented molded round edge reduces conjunctival interaction, resulting in continuous wearing comfort for the patient.
     The water content of Biofinity contact lenses is 48 percent, Dk is 128, and Dk/t is 160. The lenses also feature a base curve of 8.6mm and a diameter of 14.0mm. For additional information, visit www.coopervision.com.

During 2008, the Gas Permeable Lens Institute (GPLI) awarded a record number of GP Clinical Excellence Awards to 4th year optometry students that showed expertise and enthusiasm supporting GP contact lenses in their clinical lanes. The winners were selected by the faculty at each optometric college and university in North America. Each award winner received an engraved plaque and a GP diagnostic fitting set provided by a member company of the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association. Congratulations to these winners: Kalli Leung, O.D., New England College of Optometry; Hanishkumar Patel, O.D., SUNY; Jennifer Miller, O.D., Ohio State College of Optometry; Eve Tessler, O.D., University of Montreal; Crystal Vautour, O.D., University of Waterloo; Karen Ellen Goodwin, O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry; William Yu, O.D., NOVA Southeastern College of Optometry; Becca Jackson, O.D., Southern College of Optometry; James Edward Crockett, O.D., James Caleb Gardner, O.D., UAB College of Optometry; Nate Otte, OD., Indiana University College of Optometry; Karen DeLoss, O.D., Illinois College of Optometry and Brent Beldyga, O.D., Michigan College of Optometry.

Athletes, teens, part-time wearers, and those who are solution-sensitive, suffer from allergies or frequently travel are all great 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand Contact Lens candidates. All these patient types and more can benefit from the long lasting comfort of LACREON™ technology, the convenience of fresh lenses every day and the protection of Class II UV blocking.* Improve the quality of life for more patients by prescribing 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand. To learn more, go to:
*Important Product and UV Information | Important Safety Information
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Patients with glaucoma have a new treatment option for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure. The minimally-invasive surgical technique, called the canaloplasty, uses a 250 micron microcatheter to access the Schlemm's canal and utilizes the eye's natural drainage system to remove fluid from the eye. This interventional procedure has been performed worldwide for more than three years. iScience Interventional, manufacturer of these microcatheters, received expanded indications for use from the FDA for their microcatheters for specific treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG is the most common form of glaucoma that occurs in approximately 90% of all glaucoma patients.
     "Canaloplasty strengthens the ophthalmologists' options for patients with primary open angle glaucoma," asserts Richard A. Lewis, M.D., past-president of the American Glaucoma Society. "Ophthalmologists have recognized for decades that the ideal solution to glaucoma would restore or maintain the eye's natural drainage system. The canaloplasty does just that." For more information, visit www.iscienceinterventional.com.

Contact Lens Spectrum and the Health Care Conference Group will host the Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), January 15-18, 2009, at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The GSLS will include presentations on the latest techniques and technologies for the successful management of ocular conditions using today's specialty contact lenses. Truly an international meeting, GSLS will provide insights of experts from around the globe and hands-on access to the most current products available. The program will be accredited for continuing education under COPE, NCLE and JCAHPO, offering 17+ credit hours.  
     Those interested in submitting free papers or posters should note that the submission deadline is September 1, 2008. Visit www.GSLSymposium.com for more information or to register for this unique meeting. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Sean Casey at 732-483-4302 or sean.casey@wolterskluwer.com.
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Researchers from Indiana University and CIBA Vision Corporation set out to determine dryness symptoms attributable to hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wear by comparing symptoms from age-matched HCL wearers and non-wearers in a cross-sectional study, and to compare that difference to the change in proportion of subjects reporting frequent dryness among HCL wearers after refitting with lotrafilcon A or B silicone hydrogels (SHCLs).
     Prevalence of frequent dryness symptoms was compared between HCL and non-wearers from a cross-sectional, historical dataset of Dry Eye/Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaires using an age-matched subset of 259 HCL and 246 non-wearers. Prospective change in prevalence of frequent dryness from non-randomized studies (n = 1036), in which daily wear (DW) HCL wearers were refit with lotrafilcon A or B SHCLs, was then compared to the cross-sectional difference between HCL wearers and non-wearers.
      In the Dry Eye/Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaires dataset, 47% fewer non-wearers reported frequent dryness than HCL wearers (p = 0.0001). In the lotrafilcon A DW refitting trials, frequent dryness was reported by 67 and 62% fewer subjects for during the day (DD) and end of the day (EOD) dryness (p = 0.0001, both) after refitting. In continuous wear lotrafilcon A trials, there were 63 and 41% reductions in the proportion reporting frequent DD and EOD dryness (p = 0.014 and p = 0.02). Refitting to DW lotrafilcon B yielded a 48 and 46% reduction in the number of subjects reporting frequent DD and EOD dryness (p < 0.0001, both).
    Researchers concluded that after refitting DW HCL wearers with either lotrafilcon A or B SHCLs, the proportion of symptomatic wearers was approximately half; an amount similar to the difference in proportion between HCL and non-wearers. This raises the possibility that refitting HCL wearers with SHCLs eliminates the component of dryness that is induced by HCL wear. Further research with more robust experimental design is recommended to test this hypothesis.
Chalmers R, Long B, Dillehay S, Begley C. Improving contact-lens related dryness symptoms with silicone hydrogel lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2008 Aug;85(8):778-84.

Like many doctors I have struggled with this issue over my career. I have evolved to the following presentation: 1) I recommend daily disposables to virtually every patient; about 2/3 of my patients are now in this modality. 2) I ask the patient "Do you wait until your car starts smoking to check the oil?" Of course, they answer "No." So, I tell them not to wait until their contacts bother them to change them, because when they do they are increasing the stress to the corneal tissue which leads to more complications. 3) I give them a very quick summary of how the cornea breathes from the tears and gives waste products back into the tears. Any contact lens can interfere with this, an older, dirtier lens more so.
     I have become a believer that we should recommend the approved wearing time for contact lenses. After all, a 60 mph speed limit really means most people are driving 65-70 mph. A good percentage of our patients will abuse their contacts anyway; we should not be encouraging this with our recommendations.
D. Penn Moody, O.D.
Indianapolis, IN

After reading the August 24 CL Today, I feel that I must comment on wearing schedules. I am an ophthalmologist who specializes in contact lens fitting and the problems encountered. I routinely stick to the recommended schedules for two reasons: 1) Each time I see a patient with a severe contact lens problem I always ask, "How old were the lenses?" and/or "Did you sleep with them?" Nearly every time the answers are that the patient exceeded FDA/manufacturer advice and/or slept in non-approved lenses. 2) I am aware of a law suit against a major national optical company with a major manufacturer as a co-respondent. The suit alleged that the patient's severe corneal infection led to a decrease in vision and that instruction for proper use and disposal of the lens were never given. The optician said instructions were given but there was no chart documentation.
     Lessons learned: Document, document. Do not exceed the FDA recommended limits.
John B. Franklin, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Farmington, CT

I ask, "Do your eyes feel more comfortable when you put a new contact lens in? If so then whatever time schedule you are using is too long." To avoid any discomfort, I like to have the new lens not feel more comfortable than the old one.
     I follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule, but "allow" the patient to modify it based on their common sense. If the recommendation is for two weeks, try a 1st and 15th schedule for a month or two and see if the comfort level changes upon insertion of the new lens. If it is good, then maintain the two week interval. If you want to expand it to 1 month, try changing only on the first. If the new lens is more comfortable than the old one, go back to the 1st and the 15th.
     I remind the patient that a set of lenses costs less than a nice cup of coffee. Which is more expensive, the cost of a super mocha cafe latte or the cost of their eyes irritating them? This gives the patient empowerment to "do the right thing" every time they have a choice of disposing of the lens or not. This method allows the patient to make the decision, which they do anyway. It works when the patient makes $25,000 or $250,000 as it uses common sense, and has few drawbacks that I can see.
Steve Rubinstein, O.D.
Mamaroneck, NY

The issue of lens replacement sure is a hot topic among our readers. It would be great to have Reader Commentaries each week on all topics related to contact lenses. Keep those comments coming.
     This is my last Editor's Commentary. Preparing this newsletter with Kathy Shafer was an honor and a joy. We are privileged to share such passion for the work that we do. Remember to always be innovative in providing the best possible treatments for your patients. Next week you will be greeted by Jason J. Nichols O.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., F.A.A.O., your new editor for Contact Lenses Today and Contact Lens Spectrum. I hope you will be motivated by Jason's insights as I am. Farewell!
Carla Mack, O.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.O.

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses, the proactive practice, fitting trends, and part one of our ARVO 2008 update.