This is a sponsored post by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., a supporter of NewGradOptometry & new graduate optometrists! 😎
ACUVUE OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology was one of the most anticipated new lens releases in recent memory, and since it first debuted in the fall of 2015, this lens has already become extremely popular and successful within my practice.
I have been fitting and refitting many of my contact lens wearers into this new daily lens.
You might be asking why.
With so many of our patients presenting for their annual exams, already very satisfied with their current lenses, including those patients already wearing ACUVUE OASYS®, what is the incentive for them to switch into a different lens that may be more expensive? Why change a formula that is working?
For me, the explanation is simple: I believe that improving patient satisfaction, and exceeding the expectations of my patients is my duty as an eyecare provider. I always strive to fit the most comfortable lens option, and healthiest modality to meet my particular patient’s needs and lifestyle.
With many contact lens manufacturers out there, not to mention, countless lenses under each brand, how can you go about picking the right one for each patient?
Even more challenging is determining how patients already wearing a daily lens could benefit from switching into another single use contact lens option like ACUVUE OASYS® Brand 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology.
The answer involves many factors including close examination of each individual patient’s ocular surface, lifestyle, and needs.
Here are some things you should know about the science behind ACUVUE OASYS® 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology and various types of patients that I find truly benefit from this lens:
Patients who report feeling dryness or tired feeling eyes
According to Dr. Pall, R&D expert at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., HydraLuxe® Technology is a tear-infused design. It is an enhanced network of tear-like molecules that is designed to mimic the tear film. This helps the lens integrate with the natural tear film of your patient, creating stability and helping reduce feelings of dryness and tired eyes.1
HydraLuxe® Technology does not simply create a coating, but a tear-like network throughout the entire lens that works consistently all day rather than being blink released. This helps create long lasting all-day comfort.1
These lenses are a fantastic option for those patients with visually demanding lifestyles including those spending large amounts of time working on and looking at digital devices, and those patients who spend many hours in challenging environments.
Great for patients with solution sensitivities
These lenses are packaged and stored in a solution that simulates the pH and electrolyte composition of natural human tears, so you can place them directly on the eye from the package with minimal irritation.1
What better way to eliminate solution sensitivity than a single-use lens?
Expansive set of parameters
ACUVUE OASYS® 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology come in an extensive set of parameters that can accommodate a wide range of corneal curvatures and refractive error. The larger 14.3 diameter ensures full limbal coverage during blinking.
Curves and Diameter
8.5 mm base curve/14.3 mm diameter
9.0 mm base curve/14.3 mm diameter
9.0 mm base curve/14.3 mm diameter
Power ranges (both base curves)
-0.50D to -6.00D (0.25D steps)
-6.50D to -12.00D (0.50D steps)
+0.5D to +6.00D (0.25D steps)
+6.50 D to +8.00D (0.50D steps)
-0.50D to -6.00D (0.25D steps)
-6.50D to -12.00D (0.50D steps)
+0.5D to +6.00D (0.25D steps)
+6.50 D to +8.00D (0.50D steps)
Great for health-conscious patients
With all of the knowledge we have on the potential harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light on the eyes, we should always be making recommendations and educating our patients on the risks of UV light and what we can do to combat it. One of those recommendations should include UV blocking contact lenses in addition to sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.
ACUVUE OASYS® 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology PROVIDE CLASS 1† UV BLOCKING (Blocks >90% UVA and >99% UVB). 2
Everyone can benefit from UV protection. It is never too early or too late to start protecting the eyes as the harmful effects of UV exposure are cumulative and happen over time. Children and teens are in the age demographic that is most susceptible to UV penetration, so this is a fantastic lens option for these patients.
Is the patient really happy with their current lens?
One question I always ask my patients when they present for their exam is:
“Do you LOVE your contact lenses?”
Most patients find that question quite amusing at first, but then really begin to open up. Asking patients if they are having any problems with their contact lenses is sometimes not sufficient enough to obtain a proper assessment of the quality of vision and comfort with their current lenses.
This particular question really gets patients to open up.
I often find that patients will explain that their lenses seem to work well until around lunch-time when they begin to feel dry. Or they will explain to me that their vision seems to fluctuate after a few hours of wear. Sometimes patients report that they can only wear their contact lenses for a couple of hours before having to take them off and wear their glasses!
These are the type of patients who are silent sufferers. They think that this is acceptable, and simply learn to deal with it, or think there are no better alternatives!
These are patients that could potentially benefit from ACUVUE OASYS® 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology.
In a study of 119 patients, ACUVUE OASYS® 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology was preferred overall by 2 to 1 over Dailies Total 1® among wearers with preference.1
Creating the most comfortable contact lens wearing experience is critical in patient satisfaction.
Ultimately, we, as eyecare providers must always be willing to go the extra step to create the most pleasant and rewarding contact lens experience for our patients. If we fail to do so, they might go to someone else who can.
Embracing new contact lens technology, and understanding how it enables lenses to be different from other options, can go a long way in achieving what is best for our patients and our practices.
Sources
- "ACUVUE OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses 1-Day with HydraLuxe®" Contact Lens Information for Eye Care Professionals. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., 2016. Web. 11 May 2016.
- "The Contact Lens for Demanding Days and Tired Eyes." ACUVUE OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., 2016. Web. 11 May 2016.
ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are indicated for vision correction. 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 by visiting acuvueprofessional.com or by calling 1-800-843-2020.
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 been done to demonstrate that wearing UV-blocking contact lenses reduces the risk of developing cataracts or other eye disorders. Consult your eye care practitioner for more information.
