CONTACT LENSES TODAY

November 13, 2005

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

1-800 Blames CL Restrictions for Company Losses
In a press release on the company's Web site, 1-800 Contacts CEO, Johnathan Coon, blames a third-quarter dip in profit margins on restrictions on contact lens distribution. Mr. Coon specifically mentions a legislative resolution (See "Senate Proposes Less Restriction on CL Distribution," CLToday, October 2) the company expected to close what he calls the "doctors only loophole” in the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act. "The effect on a consumer trying to use a 'doctors only' prescription for purchase from a non-ECP seller is the same as if the prescription had never been released,” said Mr. Coon. He further explained that, "Addressing the threat of 'doctors only' lenses must be out top priority,” adding that the company will divert advertising spending to fund initiatives towards this goal.
1-800 also made claims that the verification practices of one of its competitors, Coastal Contacts, had also played a part in the company's declining profits.
CLMA in Las Vegas a Success
The Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) met this past weekend in Las Vegas. Meeting highlights include a keynote address given by CLToday Editor Joe Barr, O.D., who recommended that CLMA emphasize expanded use of workshop training on GP and specialty lens use. An outstanding lecture by Earl Smith, O.D., Ph.D., and Patrick Caroline, F.A.A.O., focused on the link between peripheral blur and myopic progression and offered contact lens strategies for treatment. CLMA also distributed award of recognition:
 
Honorary Recognition Award Mike Wildman
Honorary Recognition Award Pam Witham
Trailblazer Award Alex Cannella
Industry Enhancement Award Ursula Lotzkat
GP Practitioner of the Year Award Richard Baker, O.D.

Next year, CLMA plans to hold its meeting as planned in New Orleans.
Alcon's Allergy Spray
A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's annual meeting compared Alcon's yet-to-be approved olopatadine hydrochloride nasal spray (Patanase) with mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (Nasonex, Shering-Plough) for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In this study, 425 patients with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis and sensitivity to ragweed were randomized to receive one of the two medications or a placebo. Participants were then exposed to 12 hours of high levels of ragweed in an environmental chamber. Results show Patanase provided patients with faster relief, in as soon as 30 minutes.
ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM are now available in a much wider range of parameters.
 As of mid July, this expansion of parameters is wide enough to match the prescriptions of approximately 98% of astigmatic patients. The roll out is as follows:

JULY PARAMETER ROLL-OUT
2190 skus = Approx. 98% of Astigmatic fits

Powers

Cylinders

Plano to -6.00D in 0.25D steps

0.75, -1.25, -1.75; Axis: 10 to 180, 10 degree steps

-6.50D to -9.00D in .50D steps

-1.25, -1.75; Axis: 90 & 180 +/- 20 (no obliques)

+0.25 to +6.00D in 0.25D steps

-0.75, -1.25, -1.75; Axis: 90 & 180 +/- 20 (no obliques)
Check http://www.ecp.acuvue.com for details.
--ADVERTISING
FDA Approves New GP Material
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Lagado Corporation's TYRO-97 (hofocon A) gas permeable material for daily wear in spherical, aspheric, toric and bifocal contact lenses. TYRO-97 is a new hydrophilic surface fluoro-silicone-acrylate rigid gas permeable contact lens. It has a DK value of 97 and a wetting angle of 23°. The manufacturer says the material contains a combination of hydrophilic monomers that produce a hydrophilic surface that is wettable and comfortable. The lens can be manufactured in blue, green, gray, blue/green and clear tints, with or without UV protection. They will be available from custom contact lens labs worldwide.
Natural Relief for Cataracts
Similasen's new Cataract Care eye drops stimulate the eye's natural ability to relieve the symptoms of cataracts. Active ingredients include cineraria maritime to relieve cloudy vision, conium maculatum for light sensitivity, glare and night vision and phosphorus to reduce halos, eye fatigue, floaters and fading colors. The company says the drops carry no known side effects or drug interactions.
Low Vision Treatment Enters Phase 2 Trials
Othera Pharmaceuticals announces the initiation of Phase 2 clinical trial for its topical eye drop, OT-551, a potent catalytic antioxidant. The study will evaluate the ability of OT-551 to prevent or arrest cataract progression in patients who have undergone vitrectomy surgery. Preclinical research indicates the drug may also be useful for treating early stage and advanced dry AMD by protecting against retina photoreceptor cell dell and inhibiting angiogenesis. The trial for these indications is expected to begin next year.
Abstract: Soft Lenses Versus Orthokeratology
Researchers at the University of Michigan's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Epidemiology conducted a study aimed at evaluating patients' experiences with daily wear soft lenses (SCL) and overnight corneal reshaping (OCR). Subjects were randomly assigned one mode of contact lens for eight weeks, followed by a washout period, then the other modality for eight more weeks. Participants completed a questionnaire at the end of each wear period. Of 81 patients enrolled, 16 dropped out and 65 completed both phases of the study. Nearly 68% of subjects chose OCR lenses, worn only while sleeping and 32% preferred two-week disposable soft lenses worn during the day.
Researchers conclude those with mild myopia had better visual acuity and less glare with SCL wear versus OCR. However, participants also had decreased trouble with symptoms, dependence on refractive correction and fewer limitations on activity with OCR lenses. They also note that patients who chose OCR over SCL were generally less myopic and had steeper K reading.
Lipson MJ, Sugar A, Musch DC. Overnight Corneal Reshaping versus Soft Diposable Contact Lenses; Vision-Related Quality-of-Life Differences From a Randomized Clinical Trial. Optom Vis Sci. 2005;82(10):886-91.
Editor's Commentary: Think Safety First, Not Wider Accessibility
At last weekend's excellent CLMA meeting the membership seemed very intent upon learning about how any future legislation or regulatory or FTC changes may impact GP lens us relative to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act. It seems that we will not know the answer to that this year but we may learn more next year. From out first story, it seems that others in the field have other points of concern about the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act. Interesting, how some people want contact lenses to be more available without supervision while many of us want them available with good supervision. Continued education of our patients at each visit about safety, safe use, compliance, and ongoing care has never been more important.
Fitting Tip: An Ounce of Prevention
Always reinforce proper contact lens handling and cleaning procedures with each and every CL patient at each office visit. It's amazing what some long-time contact lens wearers do to their lenses. Many still have common misconceptions about proper lens care. As I tell my patients, it's not so much the first-time CL wearers I have to worry about, but the long-time wearers who erroneously think they know what they are doing, and have been lucky enough to get away with it so far without any adverse consequences … yet.
As they say, "An ounce of prevention …"
Rick Barganier, O.D.
College Station, Texas
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, learn about the benefits of using silicone hydrogels as a vehicle for sustained ocular drug delivery and as post-PRK bandage lenses, investigate the significance of lens thickness and oxygen permeability in combination lens systems, and learn about the extent to which silicone hydrogels absorb common anti-inflammatory agents.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
Access a reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print it out and fax it to (866) 886-6164.
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Visit Contact Lens Spectrum ( http://www.clspectrum.com ) for interactive clinical posters and issue archives. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips.
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