ACUVUE® VITA™ Brand Contact Lenses with HydraMax™ Technology is the newest monthly modality lens to enter the ever-expanding and improving contact lens market.
ACUVUE® VITA™ Brand is a contact lens with unique properties that make it a fantastic lens for current monthly lens wearers experiencing comfort related issues, or new patients seeking a monthly wear cycle. ACUVUE® VITA™ is designed to provide patients reliable, superior comfort – all month long.
I had the opportunity to discuss this new lens with Dr. Kristy Canavan and gain insight behind it, and its unique properties. Dr. Canavan is a Principal Research Optometrist at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and she was responsible for the clinical development of ACUVUE® VITA™.
How is ACUVUE® VITA™ different from other monthly replacement lenses?
ACUVUE® VITA™ with HydraMax™ Technology is a daily wear lens that is designed specifically for a 30 day wear cycle.
Currently, over two-thirds of monthly wearers report experiencing comfort related issues. A change in contact lens hydration may be a leading cause of these issues. With this in mind, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. developed HydraMax™ Technology.
According to Dr. Canavan, "HydraMax™ Technology represents a NEW non-coated silicone hydrogel formulation (senofilcon C), designed to help maximize and maintain lens hydration—all month long."
It does this in two ways:
- It maximizes hydration by incorporating the maximum amount of pure, long chain polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), a highly effective hydrating agent, throughout the lens.
- It maintains hydration by integrating the optimal density and distribution of lipids from the tear film throughout the lens.
No other monthly lens has these specific material properties.
Dr. Canavan reported that the impact of HydraMax™ Technology on lens hydration was demonstrated by measuring the rate of evaporation through ACUVUE® VITA™ and other leading monthly lenses after 30 days of daily wear. A reduced evaporation rate demonstrates an increased ability to maintain hydration.
“Our experiments showed that the ACUVUE® VITA™ lenses were significantly better at limiting the loss of moisture through the lens and into the atmosphere –33% lower than the competitive lenses*.”
To learn more about HydraMax™ Technology, watch the video below.
https://youtu.be/X6Wbay7t9JM
The integration of lipids with optimal density and distribution help ACUVUE® VITA™ maintain lens hydration – all month long. The integrated lipids are physically protected within the lens matrix, allowing them to continue performing their natural, beneficial function of helping to prevent evaporation.
When asked how this lipid profile specifically contributes to lasting comfort over the duration of an entire month, Dr. Canavan reinforced that the integrated lipids help ACUVUE® VITA™ maintain lens hydration all month long, which addresses a likely leading cause of monthly wearer discomfort. Additionally, she revealed that ACUVUE® VITA™ maintains a low deposition profile.
"The PVP, in addition to maximizing hydration, allows the lens material to interact with the ocular environment in a way that allows the tear film components, especially lipids, to homogeneously integrate throughout the lens, with minimal precipitating or depositing.
We know that lipids within the tear film are critical to maintaining lubrication and hydration of the ocular surface. It makes some sense, therefore, that you’d like to integrate these lipid functions within a contact lens as well.
Integration of lipids creates a measure of physical protection from the environment, and therefore allows the lipids to remain homogeneous for a longer period of time – a very important feature in a lens worn for a full month."
In a large clinical study, ACUVUE® VITA™ received superior patient ratings for “Overall Comfort” and “Overall Quality of Vision” compared to the leading monthly lenses*.
Patient ratings for ACUVUE® VITA™ were superior for “Overall Comfort” compared to Air Optix® Aqua, Biofinity®, and Ultra™ at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4.1
“Overall Quality of Vision” (Based on patient rating for a full month)
ACUVUE® VITA™ also includes the INFINITY EDGE™ Design and Class 1† UV Blocking
In addition to HydraMax™ Technology, the INFINITY EDGE™ Design also contributes to lens comfort.
The INFINITY EDGE™ Design contours to the eye and helps to minimize lens awareness when blinking.
ACUVUE® VITA™ is the only leading monthly lens that provides UV blocking. Everyone can benefit from UV protection, and as we know, the harmful effects of UV exposure are cumulative and happen over time. As an Eyecare Provider, we should always make recommendations and educate our patients on the risks of UV light and what we can do to combat it.
ACUVUE® VITA™ PROVIDES CLASS 1† UV BLOCKING (Blocks >90% UVA and >99% UVB).
Expansive Set of Parameters
ACUVUE® VITA™ come in an extensive set of parameters that can accommodate a wide range of corneal curvatures and refractive error.
Parameters
8.4 mm base curve/14.0 mm diameter
8.8 mm base curve/14.0 mm diameter
8.8 mm base curve/14.0 mm diameter
Power Ranges (both base curves)
-0.50D to -6.00D (0.25D steps)
-6.50D to -12.00D (0.50D steps)
+0.50D to +6.00D (0.25D steps)
+6.50D to +8.00D (0.50D steps)
-0.50D to -6.00D (0.25D steps)
-6.50D to -12.00D (0.50D steps)
+0.50D to +6.00D (0.25D steps)
+6.50D to +8.00D (0.50D steps)
Who Is The Ideal Patient For This Lens?
The perfect patients for ACUVUE® VITA™ are those who desire to wear their contact lenses for a full month, with minimal lens awareness.
Dr. Canavan shared that "From recent market research of current monthly replacement patients, we discovered over two third of monthly wearers experience comfort related issues like feelings of dryness, or irritation with their lenses.
Many of those patients resort to “compensating behaviors” like using rewetting drops, taking breaks from lens wear, or removing, cleaning, and re-inserting their lenses to get through their full month of wear."
The underlying reason behind the development of ACUVUE® VITA™ was to address the underserved needs of these patients.
Creating the most comfortable contact lens wearing experience is critical for improving your patients' satisfaction, which in turn increases their loyalty with you as their eyecare provider.
For current monthly contact lens wearers, ACUVUE® VITA™ with HydraMax™ Technology can re-define their contact lens experience. This can lead to reduced contact lens dropouts and increased patient referrals.
*Air Optix® Aqua, Biofinity®, and Ultra™.
Disclaimers:
ACUVUE® VITA™ Brand Contact Lenses are indicated for vision correction as a daily wear lens with one-month recommended replacement. As with any contact lens, eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop. Some wearers may experience mild irritation, itching or discomfort. Lenses should not be prescribed if patients have any eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Consult the package insert for complete information. Complete information is also available from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care , Inc. 1-800-843-2020 or acuvueprofessional.com
Important Information about UV Blocking Contact Lenses
Helps protect against transmission of harmful UV radiation through the cornea and into the eye.†
* WARNING: UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear, such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses, because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed.
* NOTE: Long-term exposure to UV radiation is one of the risk factors associated with cataracts. Exposure is based on a number of factors such as environmental conditions (altitude, geography, cloud cover) and personal factors (extent and nature of outdoor activities). UV-blocking contact lenses help provide protection against harmful UV radiation. However, clinical studies have not yet been done to demonstrate that wearing UV-blocking contact lenses reduces the risk of developing cataracts or other ocular disorders. Consult your eye care practitioner for more information.
Sources:
- "ACUVUE® VITA™ Brand Contact Lenses." Monthly Contact Lenses. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 July 2016.
