DATA REVEAL GROWTH IN MYOPIA CONTROL AND DAILY DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES
Although contact lens industry data from 2016 reveal several notable findings, the two stand outs are: the continued growth of daily disposables and myopia control via lenses, according to the annual contact lens report (a practitioner survey) published in the January 2017 issue of Contact Lens Spectrum (CLS). (Both CLS and OM are published by PentaVision LLC.)
“First, the continued growth of the daily disposable segment is remarkable and not showing any signs of slowing, comprising about 1/3 of soft lens fits today,” explains CLS Editor, Jason J. Nichols, O.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. “Second, the continued adoption of myopia control with optical interventions is compelling when you look at the numbers from 2015 compared to 2016.”
Daily disposable prescriptions led in soft lens replacement with a range of 31% to 39%, according to market insights from CLS, ABB Optical, GfK Retail and Technology and Glimpse Live. The modality also was linked with the most growth with a range from 5% to 20%. Monthly soft lenses showed a range of 28% to 44%.
Of note: A total of 83% of practitioners said they think the contact lens design or modality with the greatest growth potential/anticipated use through 2017 is silicone hydrogel (SiHy) daily disposables, with SiHy multifocal lenses coming in second at 67% and scleral lenses third at 41%. Further, 57% of practitioners said they think the soft lens they’ll fit more of this year is a daily disposable.
Thirty-seven percent of practitioners indicated they actively practice myopia control using contact lenses compared with 24% in 2015. The lens of choice: soft multifocal designs (51%), with orthokeratology coming in second (44%) and GP multifocals taking third place with 5%. (In 2015, orthokeratology lenses for myopia control were the lens of choice.)
Given the slew of myopia control workshops, such as “Controlling the Progression of Myopia: Contact Lenses and Future Medical Devices” (co-sponsored by an array of eye care associations, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optometry, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the FDA), 2017 may usher in several FDA-approved myopia control methods, opines Dr. Nichols, in the report.
View the complete article at clspectrum.com/issues/2017/january/contact-lenses-2016 ■
2016 by the Numbers
- 88% Number of practitioners recommending specific brands of contact lens care systems.
- 76% Number of practitioners who strongly prefer prescribing multifocal lenses vs. monovision.
- 67% Number of patients who purchased contact lenses from their practitioners’ locations.
- 32% Gross profit attributed to contact lenses by most practitioners.
- 27% Net profit attributed to contact lenses by most practitioners.
- 20% Number of fits of hydrogel contact lenses.
- 18% Patients who purchased contact lenses online.
- 13% Patients who purchased contact lenses via third-party retailer, independent of practice.
- 10% Number of fits of GPs
Source: “Contact Lenses 2016,”
Contact Lens Spectrum, January 2017.
VISION EXPO EDUCATION TRACKS MAKE IMPRESSION
Vision Expo, which took place March 30 to April 2 at New York City’s Javits Center, was not only chock full of exhibitors and show floor traffic, but also eye care professionals eager to expand their knowledge base through the event’s various educational offerings.
Those offerings included the Global Contact Lens Forum, the Ocular Surface Disease and Wellness Symposium, the Vision series, expanded scleral lens track, Intrepid talks, Blue Light sessions, and OM-sponsored “ODs on Facebook” education sessions (three tracks)/party and the “Chairmen’s Top Picks” (eight tracks), among many others.
“This year, the most talked-about sessions at Vision Expo East took place not only in the classroom but across the show floor,” explains Ben Gaddie, O.D., F.A.A.O., a co-chairman of the Expo’s conference advisory board. “From the collaboration with Google to the practice owners and managers track, attendees report that they came to the show to learn what’s happening, and the innovations that are coming, so they can make informed business decisions and develop their plans for the future.”
Of the “ODs on Facebook” education series, Alan Glazier, O.D., F.A.A.O., founder of the social media channel, says the Practice Management Pearls track had the highest turnout.
“I think this has to do with the popularity of practice management issues discussed in ‘ODs on Facebook,’ as well as the esteemed panel we put together . . . ” he explains.
He adds that “The Greatest Social Media Course Ever” track garnered the most attendee questions, indicating people are “curious about using social media as a marketing tool, and they realize its importance . . .” ■
STUDY RESULTS ON MILLENNIAL FATHERS MIRRORED IN OPTOMETRY PRACTICES
SHANNON SIMCOX, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Millennial fathers (ages of 21 to 34) look to You-Tube videos for guidance on parenting topics, reports a study by think with Google, Flamingo and Ispos Connect. Specifically, 86% of these dads turn to YouTube for guidance on key parenting topics, indicating they’re taking more of an active role as parents vs. previous generations.
In fact, the amount of time fathers, in general, spend with their children has nearly tripled since 1965, according to “Modern Parenthood,” a 2013 Pew Research Center report. (That said, mothers spend roughly twice as much time with their children as fathers do (13.5 hours per week for mothers in 2011, compared with 7.3 hours for fathers, the report shows).)
Optometrists are noticing the increased role millennial fathers are taking in comparison to dads of other generations.
“In my practice, fathers are accompanying their children to an increased number of appointments, with or without mom, and are invested in the information being given regarding their children,” explains Patricia M. Fulmer, O.D., F.A.A.O., of Huntsville, Ala., “Additionally, by observing their interaction with their children, you can often tell that they have a deep, communicative bond with them as both parent and friend.”
How can you utilize YouTube to attract these doting dads? Mike Rothschild, O.D., of Carrollton, Ga., who has created videos in the past, suggests providing a tour of your practice; education on how to fill out paperwork, what to expect from insurance; how to insert, remove and care for contact lenses; how to clean frames and general information on what happens at an eye exam and when/what to expect when bringing your child in for an eye exam. ■
Research Notes
- Greater time spent outdoors in children ages 3 to 9 was associated with a decreased incidence of myopia between ages 10 and 15, according to February’s Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. ■
- Early and late-stage AMD negatively affects vision-specific functioning (VSF) in Chinese, but not in Indian and Malay participants, reveals the March 30 online edition of JAMA Ophthalmology. The researchers say these results suggest an “independent ethnic influence in the association of the disease with VSF in multi-ethnic Asian populations,” creating a need for ethnicity-based protocols to hinder the onset or progression of AMD. ■
- Behavioral activation, in addition to low vision rehabilitation, with an occupational therapist in an AMD patient’s home appears more effective than conventional optometric low vision services alone for those who have visual impairment, reveals March’s Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. ■
- Netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% (Rhopressa, Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc.), once-daily IOP-lowering eye drop, showed six-month topline safety and efficacy during its Rocket 4 Phase 3 clinical trial, reports the company. Although not required for U.S. NDA, Aerie did include these results in its NDA submission. ■
- A retrospective patient experience study done on the dexamethasone intracanalicular insert 0.4 mg (DEXTENZA, Ocular Therapeutix Inc.) shows patients reported it was comfortable and convenient vs. using topical eye drops on a tapered schedule, Ocular Therapeutix reports. ■
- The Perceived Stress Scale, a psychological instrument used to measure the degree to which situations in one’s life are stressful, demonstrated acceptable measurement properties in AMD patients, reports March’s Optometry and Vision Science. ■
OM COLUMNIST RELEASES LATEST IN BOOK SERIES
Laurie Capogna, O.D., OM’s “Nutrition” columnist and co-author of “Eyefoods: A Food Plan for Healthy Eyes” and “Eyefoods for Kids: A Tasty Guide to Nutrition and Eye Health,” has just released “Cooking with Eyefoods: Recipes to Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light.”
“Patients and colleagues have been asking for additional recipes and my co-author, Barbara Pelletier, O.D., and I decided to start writing smaller books individually on more niche-specific topics that include recipes and newer information and studies,” she explains. “The first of the bunch is on blue light, which is something that not only affects all patients, but concerns them as well, given the widespread use of electronics.”
To order the book, email sales@eyefoods.com. ■
BOOK CELEBRATES OPTOMETRY
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