CLToday Fitting Tip of the Month

November 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.

Solving Rare Challenges with New High-Dk Lenses
Many times we assume patient discomfort with silicone hydrogel lenses is due to higher material modulus. I’ve found that having patients rub their contact lenses at night prior to storing them in solution often alleviates issues with lens discomfort. Additional benefits to rubbing silicone hydrogel lenses include decreased risk of superior epithelial arcuate lesions (SEALS) and mucin ball deposition.
Oftentimes, we give up too soon when a patient complains about lens discomfort with these new lenses. Before switching to a lower-Dk lens, educate the patient on the benefits of rubbing the lenses despite the "no rub" labels.
Kelly Kerksick, O.D.,
Columbia, Ill.

Offer Patients a Solution Before They Drop Out
Eye Care Professionals seeking to grow their practice should consider how contact lens dropouts diminish practice growth. There are 2.7 million contact lens dropouts annually, with more on the verge of dropping out because of contact lens dryness. What if you could offer patients a solution before they drop out of lens wear, not only keeping them in contact lenses but also in your practice? ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus, a new generation of silicone hydrogel, balances properties to meet the demands of contact lens wearers in environments that can make eyes feel tired and dry. ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses can revitalize your practice by offering patient satisfaction and practice growth.
ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® OASYS™, HYDRACLEAR™, ACUVUE® ULTRA COMFORT SERIES™, FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR EYES™ and VISTAKON® are all trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
--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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