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Toric Multifocals? Are You Kidding?
A new contact lens is aimed at dissatisfied monovision patients.
JAMES
MUSE, O.D.
My
skepticism was at an all-time high when my Unilens representative briefed me on
the new C-Vue55 toric multifocal lens the company had introduced. I just smiled
and nodded while he sang its praises. I remember thinking to myself: Multifocals
— challenge. Toric multifocals — death wish.
After fitting the lens on a few patients,
though, I soon realized the value; value in visual clarity, comfort, and in helping
to provide for another niche in my practice — presbyopic astigmats. Patients
marvel at the comfort first, then, after the equilibration time, are pleasantly
surprised with their overall vision. In the past I would have run to my arsenal
of multifocal GPs, but Unilens now gives me another option for these patients with
the C-Vue55 Toric Multifocal.
Matching lens to patient
The prime candidate for this lens is the dissatisfied
toric monovision patient. In my predominantly "mature" patient base, many are experiencing
astigmatic creep and find their spherical or toric monovision correction becoming
quite inadequate. The C-Vue55 Toric Multifocal solves this problem by bringing back
binocularity and better intermediate and near vision when compared with their monovision
lenses. The C-Vue55 is available as a yearly and a quarterly-planned replacement
lens.
Simplified fitting
 |
| The C-Vue55
doesn't require lengthy fitting guides or formulas. |
You don't need any lengthy fitting guides or formulas
with this lens. Only the patient's refraction corrected for vertex distance, a straightforward
base curve selection and a few helpful hints with the add power are all that's needed.
Better still, have one of the company's experienced consultants design the lens
for you based on keratometry readings and refraction. Upon delivery of their lenses,
patients are impressed with the intermediate and near vision — usually J2 or
better. Distance acuities are generally around 20/30 or better. On occasion, I will
have to order an additional lens to improve clarity based on the overrefraction,
but I've been amazed at how well the patient sees with the empirically fit, first
pair of lenses.
I have found that the best day for
dispensing this lens to the patient is Friday: Weekends offer the perfect opportunity
to break-in the lens, because visual demand is low. When the visual demand becomes
greater upon Monday's return to work, the patient has already had a couple of days
to adjust to the lens, which can improve his or her success.
Lens facts
The C-Vue55 comes in four base curves, sphere
powers to 20.00D, cylinder to -4.00D, 1 axis steps, and add powers up to +3.00D.
This allows for a wide range of refractive correction. I have found the the lens
to be a great asset in those hyperopic astigmats who need a full 2.50D add.
Risk is rewarded
You can raise your fitting fees for this multifocal
lens because it offers a high level of performance. And it performs for the presbyopic
astigmat! You'll be impressed at the simplicity of the fitting, and the quality
alternative you can provide for your patient in comfort and overall acuity. OM
DR. MUSE IS A GRADUATE OF
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY AND HAS RECENTLY
OPENED THE DOORS TO HIS PRIVATE PRACTICE, MUSEUM
EYECARE, IN OCALA, FLA. CONTACT HIM AT (352)746-2246.
Optometric Management, Issue: December 2005