Oct 7 2015
For years, millions of contact lens wearers have compromised by settling for 20/Happy vision; a term used to describe vision that was functional, but not 20/20. Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) have reported that 99.5% of patients experience at least one area of compromise with vision using today’s multifocal contact lenses.1 Research is now showing that new advances in contact lens technology are helping by providing the vision and stereoacuity (depth perception) patients want.
Insights into the latest contact lens technology, as well as research into findings from recent clinical trials, will be presented by Sally M. Dillehay O.D., Ed.D., Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for Visioneering Technologies, Inc., (VTI), and Jeffrey Sonsino, O.D., F.A.A.O. Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies at the annual American Academy of Optometry (AAO) conference to be held October 7 - 10 in New Orleans.
The presentation to AAO attendees entitled, “Multifocal Contact Lenses: Moving Presbyopic Patients Beyond 20/Happy,” will be given Wednesday, October 7 at 8 a.m. It will provide insights and an overview of the origin of the phrase, demographics of presbyopes, why contact lens wearers may revert to glasses, how to set patient expectations, and the need for Eye Care Professionals to revert from old habits when it comes to fitting multifocal contact lenses.
Presbyopia occurs when it becomes more difficult for the eye to focus on items such as books or computer screens up close. It’s estimated that virtually every person over the age of 40 will experience some degree of presbyopia.2 Studies show that by 2018, baby boomers, who represent nearly 30% of the population, will become the largest single group of potential contact lens wearers.3
Visioneering Technologies is currently in the midst of a limited launch of NaturalVue™ Multifocal 1 Day daily disposable contact lenses, a first-of-its-kind lens designed to treat presbyopia. Designed by an optometrist and aerospace engineer, the lens uses a proprietary technology to create an extended depth of focus, thereby giving patients clear vision at all distances, and stereoacuity similar to spectacles. NaturalVue is currently exclusively available through select eye care practitioners and will continue rolling out into 2016.
In a 2013 study, only 15 percent of patients in current multifocal contacts experienced vision that was uncompromised in at least one area (near, intermediate, and distance vision).4 In contrast, patients participating in NaturalVue clinical trials were able to complete over 93 percent of normal visual tasks without using supplemental reading glasses or magnifiers.5
“What we know unequivocally is that patients get frustrated and may stop wearing contacts when they have to compromise their vision,” said Dillehay. “What we also know is that there are now new advances in contact lens technology, that when properly fitted to manufacturer guidelines can play a significant role in improving patient vision. That’s an advancement that is great for patients as well as ECPs looking to retain and attract more patients.”
For more information on the AAO and schedule of presentations, visit http://www.aaopt.org/Meetings/2015. For insights into how new contact lens technology from Visioneering Technologies is helping ECPs and patients with presbyopia visit www.vtivision.com or Twitter using the hashtag #beyond20happy.
Source: http://www.vtivision.com/