contact lens management
Lens Goes Beyond Dry Eye
Single-use lens offers four benefits that can help an array of patients.
BRAD RIPPS, O.D.

Initially, I expected Vistakon's 1-Day Acuvue Moist daily disposable contact lens (CL) to be a niche product for my CL patients who reported dry eye and/or end-of-the-day discomfort. While these patients have indeed informed me of their relief from these ailments since using this CL, I have discovered that patients who do not have these maladies can benefit from it as well. Here, I will discuss the four primary features and how they aid different types of patients.

1-Day Acuvue Moist

LENS POWERS: -0.50D to -6.00D (in 0.25 steps); -6.50D to -12.00D (in 0.50 steps); +0.50D to +6.00D (in 0.25 steps). MATERIAL: Etafilcon A DIAMETER: 14.2mm COST: TBD

1. Lacreon technology

This patented technology embeds a water-holding ingredient, similar to that found in natural tears, into the CL material. The lens material then locks in the moisture to make the lens more comfortable throughout the day. The results: Many patients who switch to this CL report they no longer have to remove their lenses as soon as they come home from work. In fact, many of these patients say they are able to wear their 1-Day Acuvue Moist daily disposable CLs until 8:00 pm and later. One young woman who made the switch from another brand of single-use lenses actually presented to my practice without an appointment just to tell me what a huge improvement in dryness and end-of-the-day comfort the new lenses had made.

Also, many patients have told me they've been able to cut back on or eliminate rewetting drops as a result of their switch to this CL. This outcome has allowed these patients to save money and an extra step in ensuring comfortable CL wear.

Finally, Lacreon technology has enabled me to preclude several of my adult patients who previously complained of dryness from becoming CL dropouts. In fact, about 40% of my patients wear daily disposable lenses, and I truly believe this number would be higher if this technology was made available in daily toric and bifocal options.

2. UV-A and UV-B block

The 1-Day Acuvue Moist daily disposable CL blocks 82% of Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and 97% of Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, allowing those who enjoy the outdoors to feel confident their eyes are protected. This is important, as studies have shown ultraviolet radiation to be associated with age-related cataract, pterygium, skin cancer around the eye, photokeratitis and corneal degenerative changes. It may also contribute to age-related macular degeneration.

3. Ocular allergy relief

CL wearers who have seasonal allergies have aggravated eyes that over-secrete mucus and the lysozyme protein deposits typically seen on contact lenses. The run-of-the-mill CL absorbs these byproducts, which can lead to the increased dryness and discomfort that typically forces these patients to be very dependent on rewetting drops or to cease wearing CLs altogether.

The 1-Day Acuvue Moist daily disposable CLs, which have been FDA-approved for use in these patients, provide improved comfort for two out of three patients who experience the mild discomfort and itching associated with allergies during CL wear when compared with lenses replaced at intervals of greater than two weeks, according to Vistakon Clinical Research.

4. Safety

Because these new daily disposable CLs are used only once, CL-induced infections, such as corneal ulcers, are greatly reduced. Young adult CL-wearers (ages 18 and younger) tend to be less compliant with the regular CL care regimen than adults, making them susceptible to infection, so I fit single-use lenses exclusively on this population.

In addition, because many of my young adult patients have active lifestyles, they tell me they appreciate a CL that requires no care, no storage case and prevents the risk of using the wrong care solution or running out of solution. As a category, single-use lenses are my preference for this group due to their safety and convenience.

Since discovering the multiple uses of the 1-Day Acuvue Moist daily disposable CL, I've asked many of my patients to try it. The results: improved comfort, decreased dryness, alleviation of the symptoms associated with ocular allergy, fewer CL-related infections and a renewed sense of faith in an important ocular medical device.

DR. RIPPS IS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN LAKE HOPATCONG, N.J. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS. CONTACT HIM AT (973) 663 -0800, OR SEND E-MAIL TO DRRIPPS@MAC.COM.