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The
Five Myths of Masking Astigmatism: Myth #4
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 |
In our last
article, we dispelled the myth that toric lenses aren’t as comfortable as
spherical lenses. In this edition we will discuss the misperception that it
takes significantly more chair time to fit toric lenses.
When it comes to fitting
toric lenses, it’s reasonable to raise the issue of "chair time", particularly
when addressing low cylinder patients. Getting a lens to fit the first time,
rather than after a series of trial lenses, is the ideal.
Today, manufacturers have
designed toric lenses to fit the majority of eyes, and several of the
market-leading toric lenses have been designed to fit most eyes with a single
base curve and diameter. The concept of a single base curve and diameter being
appropriate for most eyes was evaluated in a large, multi-centered clinical. In
this evaluation, 900 astigmatic patients were fitted with Bausch & Lomb
PureVision® Toric lenses. At the 1-Month follow-up visit,
practitioners rated the fit of the single base curve acceptable for 96% of
patients.1
In recognition of the importance of providing products that allow
you to meet the needs of astigmatic patients,
Bausch & Lomb expanded the
number of parameters of the PureVision Toric lens…including more powers with
-0.75 D cylinder for astigmatic patients wearing spherical lenses. In fact, the PureVision toric lens has 60% more parameters than its leading competitor’s
silicone hydrogel toric offering. The
silicone hydrogel material, flexible wear schedule, unique design and expanded
parameters of PureVision Toric lens provides you with greater opportunity for
fitting success.
It’s no wonder eye care
professionals agreed that PureVision Toric lenses were easy to fit on 99% of
their astigmatic patients wearing spherical lenses.1 The lens
delivers dependable orientation, exceptional rotational stability and consistent
fitting success. Even versus a leading competitive silicone hydrogel toric
design, the PureVision Toric lenses are preferred for ease and speed of fit
among eye care professional, Table 12.
Table 1
With
PureVision Toric lenses you have the ability to offer a great toric lens design
with an appealing one month / overnight modality that helps increase compliance
and shorten time between annual exams.3 Furthermore, the added levels
of health and comfort associated with silicone hydrogel lenses, makes fitting
patients in silicone hydrogel toric lenses both easy and satisfying.
All-in-all, fitting masked
low-cylinder patients with PureVision Toric lenses is worthwhile when you also
consider the exceptional vision you’re providing these patients. In the
PureVision Toric lens evaluation, significantly more masked low-cylinder
patients could achieve 20/20 or better acuity.1 Make PureVision Toric
lenses your first choice for astigmatic patients and you’ll realize increased
patient satisfaction at your practice.
Please look for our discussion of our final myth, “The higher cost to patients
of toric lenses is a barrier relative to spherical lenses” in the next edition
of EyeMatters. If you miss any editions of the EyeMatters series
you can go to our news archive at
http://www.eyematters.com/archive.asp.
Sincerely,
Mike Pier, OD
Director, Professional Relations – Practitioner Education
1.
Results
from a clinical evaluation conducted at 112 sites in eight countries in which
900 astigmatic patients wearing spectacles (n=119), spherical contact lenses, or
toric contact lenses (n=629) were fitted with PureVision Toric lenses. After
using the PureVision Toric lenses for one month, patients completed a forced
choice questionnaire in which they chose product preferences for specific
attributes. Practitioners provided lens fit, slit lamp evaluations, and product
performance rating information at each visit.
2.
Results from an independent 2006 survey of 95 eye care professionals performed
by Directive Analytics. Participation was limited to eye care professionals who
had fitting experience with all brands of silicone hydrogel toric lenses
available at the time of the represent eye care professionals’ ratings among
those with a preference.
3.
Data on File
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. 2007
Brief summary of intended use:
The Bausch &
Lomb PureVision Toric (balafilcon A) Visibility Tinted Contact Lenses are
indicated for daily wear or extended wear for up to 30 nights between removals.
Warnings: The risk of microbial keratitis has been shown to be greater
among users of extended wear contact lenses than among users of daily wear
contact lenses. The long-term risk of microbial keratitis has not been
determined for this lens. Post-marketing studies are in progress.
Precautions: Some patients will not be able to tolerate continuous wear even
if able to tolerate the same or another lens on a daily wear basis. Some
patients who are able to tolerate continuous wear will not be able to wear their
lenses continuously for 30 nights. Patients should be carefully evaluated for
continuous wear prior to prescription and dispensing, and eye care professionals
should conduct early and frequent follow-up examination to determine ocular
response to continuous wear. Side effects: During the one-year US study
of the PureVision lens (spherical), 2.9% of the 820 eyes that were fit with the
PureVision lens in one eye experienced infiltrative keratitis. Other less
serious side effects were mild forms of dryness, discomfort, and burning and
stinging. Contraindications: The lens should not be used in the presence
of any inflammation, infection, disease or injury in or around the eye or
eyelids that interferes with contact lens wear. The lenses should not be used by
individuals who have a systemic disease or an allergic condition that might
interfere with contact lens wear. Consult the Package Insert/Fitting Guide for
complete information about PureVision Toric contact lenses, available from
Bausch & Lomb at 1-800-828-9030 or www.bausch.com.
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denote trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. © Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
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