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Optometric Management

Article

LEADING OFF: Practice Tip: Target Two Patient Subsets for Contact Lens Wear

By: COURTNEY DRYER, OD, JENNIFER PALOMBI, OD
Optometric Management March 1, 2023 Vol 58, Issue March 2023 Page(s): 16

While contact lenses should be offered as a refractive solution for all appropriate patients, optometrists should consider targeting two specific subsets of patients: age-appropriate childhood myopes and patients who have presbyopia. Why? Because these patients are expected to expand the demographics of the contact lens market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.6% in the United States over the next 10 years.1

Here, we discuss these statistics.

CHILDHOOD MYOPIA

Studies on non-cycloplegic refractions show the prevalence of myopia in the United States is as high as 42%.2 It has been shown children can gain increased self-perception by wearing contact lenses,3 experience few complications with contact lens wear,4 and demonstrate lifelong ocular health benefits from myopia control.5

 

grafikplusfoto/stock.adobe.com
grafikplusfoto/stock.adobe.com

 

PRESBYOPIA

There are an estimated 40 million people approaching presbyopia (ages 35 to 44), and another 142 million already aged 45 or older in the United States.6 An estimated 32.6 million Americans wear OTC readers.7 Amongst ECPs, a survey reveals 50% recommend contact lenses for presbyopes,8 though less than 10% of patients report their ECPs mention multifocal contact lenses.

Historically, comfort and vision have been reported as primary reasons for contact lens discontinuation in patients who have presbyopia.9 Fortunately, today’s multifocal contact lens options, which incorporate advanced materials and designs, provide both enhanced visual performance and healthy outcomes for presbyopic patients.

EVERYBODY WINS

By recommending contact lens wear as an option to presbyopes and childhood myopes, ECPs may find an excellent opportunity to improve patient satisfaction, loyalty to the practice, and enhanced quality of life. In turn, optometry practices can experience increased growth and profitability. OM

Dr. Dryer is the owner of Autarchic Spec Shop in Charlotte, N.C.

Dr. Palombi is the senior manager of professional education & Development at CooperVision.

REFERENCES

  1. Insights FB. The global contact lenses market is expected to grow from $8.58 billion in 2021 to $12.56 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.6% in forecast period, 2021-2028. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/contact-lenses-market-101775 . Accessed January 24, 2022.
  2. Grzybowski A, Kanclerz P, Tsubota K, Lanca C, Saw SM. A review on the epidemiology of myopia in school children worldwide. BMC Ophthalmol. Jan 14 2020;20(1):27. doi:10.1186/s12886-019-1220-0.
  3. Walline JJ, Jones LA, Sinnott L, et al. Randomized trial of the effect of contact lens wear on self-perception in children. Optometry and Vision Science. 2009;86(3):222-232.
  4. Bullimore MA. The Safety of Soft Contact Lenses in Children. Optom Vis Sci. Jun 2017;94(6):638-646. doi:10.1097/opx.0000000000001078.
  5. Bullimore MA, Richdale K. Myopia Control 2020: Where are we and where are we heading? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. May 2020;40(3):254-270. doi:10.1111/opo.12686
  6. ACS Demographics and Housing Estmates, 2019. 2019. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&table=DP05&tid=ACSDP5Y2019.DP05 . Accessed February 2, 2023.
  7. Organizational Overview. 2018. https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/TVC_OrgOverview_sheet_0419.pdf . Accessed January 14, 2022.
  8. Hutchins B, Huntjens B. Patients’ attitudes and beliefs to presbyopia and its correction. J Optom. 2021/04/01/ 2021;14(2):127-132. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2020.02.001 .
  9. Rueff EM, Varghese RJ, Brack TM, Downard DE, Bailey MD. A Survey of Presbyopic Contact Lens Wearers in a University Setting. Optom Vis Sci. Aug 2016;93(8):848-54. doi:10.1097/opx.0000000000000881.

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