contact lens management
Aspheric Contact Lens Fills A Niche
Emerging presbyopes and low astigmats find
another option.
JEROME
SUDE, O.D.
With
the advent of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and all the promotional activity
that accompanies them, we should keep in mind the many other contact lens options
we have at our disposal. Various lens materials provide therapeutic alternatives
to ocular problems of dry eyes, lid sensitivity, glare, blurred vision and potential
non-acceptance of silicone lenses. The introduction of Sauflon Pharmaceutical's
new Sauflon 55UV Aspheric soft lens, aimed at low astigmats and emerging presbyopes,
offers an excellent addition to our armamentarium of problem-solving lenses.
Taking a close look
I recently completed an in-office study on the
clinical and economic feasibility of three new contact lens products for the U.S.
market. The Sauflon Aspheric was one of them.
Collectively, the practices in this
study fit this lens on 62 patients over an initial two-month period. The patients
were either new contact lens wearers or patients who we converted to the lens. Patients
wore the lens on a daily-wear basis.
We found that 95% of the patients reported
average to excellent comfort. All patients exhibited good to excellent corneal and
conjunctival health based on conjunctival injection and neovascularization after
wearing the lenses for four to six weeks. Of the patients who previously wore contact
lenses, 90% reported the Sauflon 55UV Aspheric gave superior, more defined vision.
Clinicians measuring their vision found it to be 20/20 or better.
The emerging presbyopes (both new and
existing wearers) in the study reported their near-point vision sufficiently improved
that monovision or bifocal contact lenses were unnecessary. Four patients
reported experiencing less glare at night.
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 |
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Sauflon
55UV Aspheric |
LENS
POWERS: –0.25D to
–8.00D (0.25D steps); –8.50 to –10.00D (0.50D steps); +0.25D to
+8.00D (0.25D steps)
BASE CURVES: 8.7mm
DIAMETER: 14.4mm
DK/T: 25.6
MATERIAL: Methafilcon A
PRICE: $12.00 per six-pack; call for
promotional pricing.
UVA AND UVB PROTECTION |
Delivery matters
We enrolled most of these patients in an automatic
delivery system the company offers to all patients through which their contacts
arrive at their home automatically every six months. Under this system, Sauflon
charges the patient's credit card and sends a reminder of the charge through the
mail.
Our large contact lens practice has
always focused on retaining patients. Our philosophy is to create compliance along
with convenience by encouraging our patients to make their contact lens purchases
from our practice. The automatic delivery system makes our goal much easier to achieve.
Because of the improvement in compliance and sales, contact lens revenues have increased.
It's my workhorse
In my large contact lens practice, I have used
contact lens modalities other than aspherics. However, I was pleasantly surprised
at how well this lens has performed. The Sauflon 55UV Aspheric has become an integral
part of my practice, filling a real niche for early presbyopes and low astigmats
by improving near-point vision.
DR. SUDE IS VICE PRESIDENT
OF THE NOVUS CLINIC IN TALLMADEGE, OHIO AND PAST
PRESIDENT OF THE SUMMIT COUNTY OPTOMETRIC SOCIETY.
YOU CAN E-MAIL HIM AT JSUDE@NOVUSCLINIC.COM.
Optometric Management, Issue: August 2006