The 4 Cs of choosing a diamond are cut, color, clarity, and carat. Should the 4 Cs of choosing a contact lens for patients be comfort, clarity, convenience, and cost? “Yes,” say 3 optometrists who actively prescribe the Precision 7, from Alcon, a 1-week replacement contact lens (available in both sphere and toric) that they say provides all 4 attributes.
1. Comfort
“From the moment patients insert the Precision 7, they say it feels ‘great,’" says Aaron Luekenga, OD, who practices at Heritage Valley Eye Care, in a multiple-location practice in California. “Additionally, they report continued comfort at their end-of-day wear cycle.”
Dr. Leukenga says he credits the lens’ Activ-Flo System, which is a combination of a proprietary moisturizing and replenishing agent embedded in the lens matrix that is continually released for 7 days (1 week).
2. Clarity
“The lens provides clarity even after hours and hours of computer use,” points out Dr. Luekenga. “So patients continue to enjoy clear, comfortable vision throughout the entire day. I think this is also due to the lens’ Activ-Flo System. Every patient who wears contact lenses recognizes that when their contact lenses dry out, their vision goes to pot. I haven’t heard that with the Precision 7 lenses.”
Dr. Luekenga adds that he hasn’t seen any lipid deposition with the Precision 7, when wearers return for follow-up visits. “The contact lens genuinely looks as good as the day the patient first put them in.”
3. Convenience
Janelle Davison, OD, who practices at Brilliant Eyes Vision Center in Marietta, Georgia, says Precision 7 wearers appreciate its replacement schedule because it’s convenient for them to remember.
“The [the Precision 7 contact lens] is a great alternative for patients who like their monthly lenses but forget to replace them and who don’t want to wear dailies,” she explains. “Many say they find remembering to replace their lenses at the end of the week easier.”
Tessa Sokol, OD, who practices at Sokol Advanced Eyecare, in Madison, Wisconsin, agrees with Dr. Davison:
“You start your wear week—whatever day you decide to start it on—and at the week’s end, you replace your contact lenses. This has been very intuitive for patient compliance,” she says.
4. Cost
“Ideally, we [optometrists] want to get our patients in a daily disposable lens,” explains Dr. Sokol. “but if they’re [patients] budget conscious and hesitant to leap to a longer-term monthly lens, I've found this lens fits the bill; no pun intended."
Dr. Davison adds that Precision 7 comes in a 27-lens box with “good rebates.”
“If patients get a year supply, they actually get 54 weeks’ worth of lenses,” she explains. “So, they actually get a year and an extra 2-weeks-worth of lenses.”
Efficiency and Referrals
In terms of the benefits of offering the Precision 7 contact lens to a practice, all those interviewed say fitting does not require extended chair time and has led to patient referrals.
“The [contact lens] places exceptionally fast,” points out Dr. Sokol.
Dr. Luekenga adds that he has had family members, especially spouses, come in and ask about “‘those contact lenses that my husband, wife, or partner say are so comfortable.’” OM