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The
Five Myths of Masking Astigmatism: Myth #1
Historically, many practitioners prescribed single vision spherical soft contact
lenses for the correction of their patients with low amounts of astigmatism
(“masking”). This may have made sense years ago, when the available soft toric
lenses delivered inconsistent results, but there’s no reason today to have such
concerns. Today the practice of masking is becoming less common, primarily due
to advances in toric soft lens technology.
Over the next several weeks we will explore why more and more eye care
professionals are recommending soft toric contact lenses for even their low
astigmatic patients. Specifically, we will address the five common myths that in
the past drove, and may still at times drive, the use of spherical lenses to
mask astigmatism, and show how today’s toric lens technologies offer a much
better solution.
Myth #1 – Visual acuity with low cylinder
toric lenses is not significantly
better than with single vision
spherical lens correction
Myth #2 – The risk of variable vision with toric lenses is too much of a
trade off
relative to the assurance of stable spherical vision
Myth #3 – Toric lenses aren’t as comfortable as spherical lenses
Myth #4 – Significantly more chair time is required to fit toric lenses
Myth #5 – The higher cost to patients of toric lenses is a barrier
relative to
spherical lenses |
As we begin this series
of articles on the Five Myths of Masking Astigmatism, it should first be stated
that the astigmatic patients’ specific visual needs cannot always be corrected
by spherical lenses. Astigmatic correction comes only through the application of
a toric lens design (correcting both sphere and cylinder). However, spherical
lenses are often perceived as easier to fit, less expensive, and still capable
of delivering an “acceptable” level of visual performance for the astigmatic
patient by masking the cylinder correction.
In reality, these misperceptions about spherical lenses undermine a patient’s
opportunity for the best fit and superior visual performance. New technology and
design innovation in toric lenses make exceptional visual acuity and visual
quality achievable for all levels of astigmatic patients. And when it comes to
correcting astigmatism, spherical lenses simply don’t compare.
For instance, with a unique anterior aspheric surface designed to correct
spherical aberrations and a posterior toric surface that corrects astigmatism,
the Bausch & Lomb PureVision® Toric lens produces excellent overall visual
acuity levels. In a clinical evaluation conducted at 117 sites in 8 different
countries, 152 spherical contact lens wearers were refit in the PureVision Toric
lens. Of these patients 89% achieved 20/20 or better vision as compared to only
35% with their previous spherical correction.1
As eye care practitioners, it’s our opportunity and, ultimately, our
responsibility to present patients with the best product option for them. In
this series of articles, you will find that contrary to popular belief, fitting
astigmatic patients in the appropriate toric lenses is not more difficult or
more time consuming, less comfortable for the patient or out of their price
range. Instead, it provides patients with vision that is not just “good enough”
but excellent. The enhancement to their visual experience is an excellent
patient satisfaction and practice-building tool that can result in happy contact
lens wearing patients.
Watch a 4-minute video at this link to hear how Dr. Joseph Udvari uses the
latest technologies to enhance his practice and surpass the expectations of his
patients. www.bausch.com/udvari
Please look for future editions of EyeMatters where we will discuss and dispel
myths #2 through #5. And if you miss any editions of the EyeMatters series, you
can go to the archives at
http://www.eyematters.com/archive.asp.
Sincerely,
Mike Pier, OD
Director, Professional Relations – Practitioner Education
1. Data on File. Bausch & Lomb, Incorporated.
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denote trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. © Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
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