CLToday Fitting Tip of the Month

October 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.


Matching New Materials and Lens Care Products
The introduction of silicone hydrogel contact lenses has heightened the importance of matching lens care products to lens material. Practitioners need to take an active role in recommending the appropriate contact lens solution to contact lens patients.
    In our office, we record every contact lens patient’s recommended care regimen on an annual contact lens review form each year and give the patient a copy. In addition, the doctor and staff tell each new silicone hydrogel wearer that some solutions can cause significant problems with the new type of lenses we have prescribed.
    We also make sure to tell patients never to use generic solutions with their silicone hydrogels. It is unknown what solutions are in generic formulations, and the formulations can change over time. A generic solution at one store can have a different formulation the next month, and the patient will be unaware of the change.
    To help ensure that patients are using the appropriate contact lens solutions, put the recommended solution in writing, give the patient a signed copy, and have the doctor reinforce verbally the importance of using the prescribed contact lens solution.
Laurie L. Sorrenson, O.D., F.A.A.O.,
Austin, Texas.

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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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