“
ECPs understand the
range of contact lens products
available and making the
best recommendations for
patients comes from asking
the right questions.
“For an existing patient,
many factors go into deciding
which type of contact lens is
most suitable, such as lifestyle and
comfort,” Mayers said. “Questions
like, “How do you compare the
beginning of day comfort to end of
day comfort?” and “Do you work
in front of a computer ?” may help
optometrists better judge what
type of lens would be best.”
Rick
Leroux,
Director
of
Marketing
and
Communications
(Lens
Division) for Centennial
Optical
says,
“Daily
disposable lenses have
increased in popularity
due to the convenience
and safety of this
For an existing patient,
wearing modality.”
Mayer
adds,
many factors go into deciding
“The
eye
measurements
which type of contact lens
impact
what
is most suitable, such as
lenses
will
be fit. The
lifestyle and comfort.
eye [prescription and curvature],
— Michael S. Mayers, O.D.,
discussing patient lifestyle and
FAAO Manager of Global Strategic
current contact lens experience
Medical Affairs for Vistakon, Johnson
are all factors to decide the type of
& Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
contact lens to prescribe. Each brand
of contact lens may fit differently.”
”
10
OPTICAL PRISM | DIGITAL SUPPLEMENT | DECEMBER 2013
Whatever
the
trend,
the
knowledge and experience of ECPs
are key for consumer support and
safety. It begins with ensuring patient’s
get the right fit.
“In order to determine the right
fit, the most important thing to achieve
is an accurate subjective refraction for
the patient,” said Mayers.
“Once the right prescription is
chosen and the lens is placed on the
eye, the overall evaluation of the lens
fit is the next step,” he said. “Ensuring
the lens centers - aligns properly
on the eye and provides acceptable
movement is critical in order to
deliver acceptable vision, comfort,
and eye health.”
The initial patient trial is the best
indicator of how the contact lens feels
and fits.
“When a patient first tries on a
new contact lens, they immediately
evaluate ease of handling/insertion,
initial comfort, and vision upon
insertion. Listening to the patient
feedback is critical during this time
period,” Mayers said.
Certain eye health conditions
present obvious challenges for ECP’s,
such as astigmatism.
“For patients with astigmatism,
a common challenge is the location/
rotation of the lens. Most astigmatism
patients know if their lenses aren’t
‘seated’ correctly then their vision
may be blurred,” Mayers said.
“The Blink Stabilized Design
used by ACUVUE harnesses the
natural pressures of a blinking eye
to help keep the lens in place and
quickly realign the lens if it rotates
out of position, providing wearers
with consistent, all-day vision,”
Mayers explains. “This also provides
a marked advantage for practitioners