CONTACT LENSES TODAY

September 7, 2003

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

Wal-Mart Goes Online with CL Prescriptions
If your patients shop at Wal-Mart online (http://www.walmart.com), then they'll find a new feature, called ContactsOnline, offered through the store's vision center. The site offers sections for new and returning customers who have valid contact lens prescriptions. Patients can click on one link to refill from their online vision center history or click on another link to set up contact lens refill reminders. Wal-Mart will contact the patient's OD to verify his prescription and then the patient can either pick his lenses up at a Wal-Mart Vision Center or have them delivered to his home, depending on the laws of the state.

What's Better After Cataract Surgery?
In eight randomized controlled trials, researchers examined a number of different outcomes (distance and near acuity, both unaided and corrected; spectacle independence; depth of field; contrast sensitivity; glare; subjective assessment of quality of life or visual function; and surgical complications). In the September issue of Ophthalmology, the researchers concluded that multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) after cataract surgery improve near vision without compromising distance vision but patients who use these IOLs may experience reduced contrast sensitivity and may see haloes around lights.

Opti-Free Express MPDS is proven to be compatible with Silicone Hydrogel Lenses. Silicone hydrogel lenses have unique surface and matrix properties unlike other soft lenses. In a recent independent study with 50 lens wearers, Opti-Free Express was shown to be compatible with silicone hydrogel lenses worn on a daily wear basis.* (http://www.optifree.com)
*Reference: Jones, L; MacDougall, N; Sorbara, L.G. Asymptomatic Corneal Staining Associated with the Use of Balafilcon Silicone-Hydrogel Contact Lenses Disinfected With a Polyaminopropyl Biguanide-Preserved Care Regimen. Optom Vis Sci 2003 Dec;79(12):753-61.
--ADVERTISING

Get Ready to Register for CLES
Many of you already know that this year's Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium (CLES) will take place at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando from January 21 to 25, 2004. For anyone interested in attending, just visit http://www.cles.info or call (866) 515-CLES for information regarding registration, hotel reservations and more. CLES says that it will post detailed course descriptions and accreditation information shortly.

CIBA Vision Introduces AQuify
According to CIBA Vision, its new contact lens drop, AQuify, is blink activated and replicates the behavior of the body's natural tears to keep any kind of lens moist. With each blink of the eye, AQuify becomes more spreadable, bathing the eye in lubrication and moisture. It continues to work to provide comfort that lasts for wear with all types of contact lenses. CIBA claims that the drop contains a naturally disappearing preservative and is safe for those who have preservative allergies or extra sensitive eyes.

Abstract: Bacterial Binding to Unused Soft Lenses
To determine if Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the ability to adhere preferentially to unused contact lenses made from different FDA group polymers, researchers grew P. aeruginosa (strain PA01) to its early stationary phase and diluted it to a concentration of 12000 cells/mL to 16000 cells/mL. They also incubated samples from each of the four FDA-designated polymer classes of soft lenses in Pseudomonal inoculant for four hours. Using electrical impedance particle counting, the researchers quantified the number of bacteria bound. They found that a lens constructed from a group-I polymer bound the fewest bacteria and that a lens made from group-II polymers showed the highest level of bacterial binding. The researchers concluded that the polymer type used to manufacture the contact lens may influence subsequent bacterial adhesion events and that contact lenses made from nonionic polymers with high water content may carry higher risks of bacterial contamination.
Dang, YN; Rao, A; Kastl, PR; Blake, RC; Schurr, MJ; Blake, DA. Quantifying Pseudomonas aeruginosa Adhesion to Contact Lenses. Eye Contact Lens 2003 Apr;29(2):65-8.

Editor's Commentary: Think GPs for Astigmatic Patients
Loretta Szczotka, OD, MS, wrote an excellent column in Contact Lens Spectrum on GP extended and continuous wear in August. As silicone hydrogel continuous wear gains popularity, I keep wondering, "What do the poor astigmats who want the convenience of safe extended or continuous wear do?" Numerous studies illustrate the safety and efficacy of super high-Dk and high-Dk GP lenses for extended wear. I'm sure contact lens practitioners tell too many astigmats that they can't have extended wear because these practitioners only think about soft lenses. Think about GP lenses for these patients. You'll be amazed at how successful GP extended wear can be.

Fitting Tip: Choosing RGP Designs
When fitting RGP multifocals, we tend to consider either the simultaneous design for early presbyopes or the translating design for later presbyopes. In the 50+ age group, best near acuity can usually be obtained with the translating designs; however, this design makes it difficult for the intermediate range (computer work). A solution to this problem is to use one translating design bifocal RGP to give the better near acuity and to use one simultaneous design to give the better intermediate acuity. The patient usually maintains excellent distance acuity even if he has astigmatism and a good range of acuity at closer ranges.
--Curtis Dechant, O.D.
Tuscon, Ariz.

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