Thursday 14 October is World Sight Day, the International Day of Awareness focusing attention on the global issue of eye health. Now in its 21st year, its message is as relevant as ever, and especially with this year’s theme, ‘Love Your Eyes’.
Whether for your patients or the community, encouraging eye health and sight tests is about caring for others, their health and wellbeing.
It is important to have a conversation with patients about their prescription options including the newly available multifocal contact lenses
Loving your eyes is indeed something that has been more challenging for patients over the last 18 months. From increased screen-time and its effect on myopia,1 to children’s eye health and reduced access to optometry care, it’s been a tough time.
Optometrist Albert Lee has seen this first-hand. “Working from home, online learning, entertainment and social media are why we, as optometrists are seeing more patients come in for eye tests complaining about digital eye-strain,” he said. “Beyond the effect of screen-time, we are increasingly concerned about eye health due to diabetes, hypertension, poor diet and lack of exercise”.
Dr Lee said although Australians entering middle-age may notice the tell-tale signs of presbyopia, there are many misconceptions on what it means for their eyesight and lifestyle.
“It is important to have a conversation with patients about their prescription options including the newly available multifocal contact lenses,” Dr Lee said.
Of those aged 40-65, 7.6 million people require vision correction,2 yet as near vision declines, the overwhelming majority turn to spectacles or glasses and away from contact lenses. In fact, around half of patients will discontinue contact lens usage as they develop presbyopia, even though they loved the lifestyle and comfort of contact lenses.
An Innovative Contact Lens for Presbyopia
Acuvue Oasys Multifocal, is a great new option for contact lens wearers with presbyopia.3
Johnson & Johnson Vision describes the three fused technologies this innovative lens incorporates to create a two-weekly lens designed for performance and comfort, as follows:4
• Pupil Optimised Design – superior visual performance with 100% of parameters tailored to pupil size variations across both age and refraction vs <2% of competitors,
• Hybrid Back Curve Technology – better matches the natural eye shape of patients for a more precise fit that helps keep the optics in the right place, and
• Proprietary Embedded Wetting Agent – helps maintain stability of the patient’s tear film to keep eyes comfortable throughout the day.
With at least 72,000 contact lens wearers not being fit into a multifocal design, or approximately 32 patients per Australian practice,5 multifocal contact lenses are a missed opportunity for both patients and professionals alike.
Furthermore, the company states that the transition to Acuvue Multifocal is easy, especially for 40% of Acuvue wearers who are already familiar with Oasys 2 weekly.
Support Sight for Kids
Johnson & Johnson Vision has partnered with Lions Clubs International since 2002 on the largest-known, school-based eye program, Sight for Kids. The program has screened over 37 million students worldwide. To support Sight For Kids scan the QR code below with your mobile device.
References
1. JJV Data on File 2020. Acuvue Pupil Optimised Design Technology: JJVC Contact Lenses, Design Features, and Associated Benefits (C1949). Compared to prior JJV multifocal design; technology optimized for both the parameters of refractive error and add power for a multitude of viewing distances and light levels.
1. JJV Data on File 2020. Acuvue Pupil Optimised Design Technology: JJVC Contact Lenses, Design Features, and Associated Benefits (C1949)
2. JJV Data on File 2014. 1-DAY Acuvue Moist Multifocal Designed for the Aging Eye (C0604)
3. JJV Data on File 2018. Similarities between Mucin and Poly(N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone) (PVP). (C1348)
4. JJV Data on File 2018. Acuvue Master Brand Claims on Clinical Performance and Overall Material Properties (C1140)
5. Commentary Barriers to not being fitted: misconception multifocal contact lenses don’t provide optimal outcome; belief that multifocal contact lenses not worth it – can put someone in spectacles instead; not right tools and presence in practice. Based on 32 patients per practice = 72,000 / ~2,200 active core contact lens practices in Australia (common contact lens prescribing Acuvue sales >$500).
