CLToday Fitting Tip of the Month

August 2006

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

The “Sub-Symptomatic” Allergy Patient
The “sub-symptomatic” allergy patient presents with contact lens-related dryness complaints unrelieved by rewetting drops, while denying any history of classic allergy symptoms such as itching. Biomicroscopic evaluation may reveal little to no conjunctival/corneal staining but will show mild to moderate conjunctival chemosis and hyperemia. Educate these patients that the burning or gritty sensations they are experiencing are likely due less to dryness and more to allergies.
These patients usually do quite well with a review of lid hygiene and the addition of a prescription mast cell stabilizer/antihistamine (one drop before and after contact lens wear) to reduce the allergic response and inflammation. Once the patient is aware of the true source of their symptoms, the perceived severity of discomfort seems to decrease even without therapeutic treatment!
Dawn Miller, O.D., F.A.A.O.,
Garden Grove, Calif.

VISTAKON® has begun airing national TV advertising in support of their exciting new contact lens, ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM, and to help increase patient visits.
One advertisement — titled “Twins” — targets a younger audience and is geared towards first time contact lens wearers with astigmatism. The other — “A Day in the Life” — was created to appeal to a broader, more mature audience, including current toric wearers and dropouts. The commercials are to air on stations such as FOX, WB, MTV, and USA. Tune in!
--ADVERTISING

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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