With so many contact lens options available on the market, it can be challenging to keep up on the latest technologies and material enhancements. So, here is an overview of five relatively new contact lenses you and your patients may not be thoroughly familiar with.
Air Optix Aqua Multifocal
CIBA Vision
The Air Optix Aqua Multifocal (lotrafilcon B) silicone hydrogel soft contact lens is the newest addition to the Air Optix family from CIBA Vision.
The Air Optix Aqua Multifocal is indicated for the correction of myopia, hyperopia and/or presbyopia in phakic or aphakic patients who may require a reading addition of +3.00D or less and who may have up to 1.50D of astigmatism.
The Air Optix Aqua Multifocal is intended for daily wear or extended wear (up to six nights). It features a base curve of 8.6mm and is available in powers ranging from +6.00D to -10.00D in 0.25D steps. Additionally, the lens’ Precision Profile Design includes a three-add power system for near, immediate and distance viewing.
A recent study conducted at the Center for Contact Lens Research at the University of Waterloo indicated that early presbyopic patients fitted with Air Optix Aqua Multifocal lenses showed better overall subjective visual success than patients fitted with monovision contact lenses.1 More specifically, early presbyopes reported enhanced visual results when driving during the daytime or nighttime, observing road signs and watching television, as well as when changing focus from distance to near viewing.
“I just started using the Air Optix Aqua Multifocal, but I must say that I am quite impressed with the distance and near acuity this lens provides––especially when higher add powers are needed, because distance vision generally suffers greatly when a high add power is required,” says Joseph P. Shovlin, O.D., of Northeastern Eye Institute, in Scranton, Pa. “My patients also comment on the comfort these lenses provide throughout the day.”
“CIBA Vision has done a great job combining the comfort of its Air Optix Aqua polymer technology with a sophisticated multifocal platform design,” says Mile Brujic, O.D., of Premier Vision Group, in Northwest Ohio. “Thus far, this lens has been very easy to fit and use for both practitioners and patients.”
1-Day Acuvue Moist
Vistakon
1-Day Acuvue Moist (etafilcon A), from Vistakon, a Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., are daily disposable hydrogel lenses indicated for the correction of myopia and hyperopia.
The lens features a base curve of 8.5mm or 9.0mm, a diameter of 14.2mm, and powers ranging from -0.50D to -6.00D in 0.25D steps, -6.50D to -12.00D in 0.50D steps, and +0.50D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps.
Additionally, the 1-Day Acuvue Moist offers up to 82% protection from ultraviolet-A radiation and 97% proftection from ultraviolet-B radiation.2
The 1-Day Acuvue Moist specifically features Lacreon technology, a unique process that permanently embeds a water-holding ingredient into the etafilcon A material. “Lacreon technology in the 1-Day Acuvue Moist improves the lens’ wettability, and hence, end-of-the-day comfort,” says Bradford R. Ripps, O.D., of Total Eyecare in Lake Hopatcong, N.J. “Because this ingredient is embedded in the lens material and is not a surface treatment, it lasts all waking hours.”
“In my experience, the 1-Day Acuvue Moist provides two bonus benefits over the original 1-Day Acuvue,” Dr. Ripps says. “First, my patients reported that the lens’ initial comfort was improved dramatically. And second, my patients’ vision stabilized almost instantly.”
Additionally: “One of the most important considerations associated with the 1-Day Acuvue Moist lens is cost effectiveness,” adds Dr. Brujic. “The lens now comes in a 90-pack, which is extremely convenient and competitive in price to other daily disposable modalities”
Clarity H20
Hydrogel Vision Corporation
Clarity H20 (hioxifilcon D), from Hydrogel Vision Corporation, is a monthly disposable soft contact lens intended for daily use. It is indicated for the correction of myopia or hyperopia in aphakic or non-aphakic eyes that exhibit 0.75D of astigmatism or less. The lens is available in a flat base curve in powers from -0.25D to -6.00D, a median base curve in powers from -0.25D to -6.00D and +6.00D to -10.00D, and a steep base curve in powers from -0.25D to -10.00D.
The Clarity H20 lens is made with hioxifilcon D––a biocompatible, group 2, third-generation “Benz G-Material” that retains up to 97% of its original water content all day, says the company. Additionally, Clarity H20 is packaged in both a traditional six-pack or an “eco-friendly” 12-pack supply.
“The Clarity H20 is unique because it is bulit on a similar molecular platform to that of Hydrogel Vision’s Extreme H20 lens, and thus, features many desirable similarities,” says Dr. Brujic. “Further, because Clarity H20 is available in a 12-pack, patients can purchase a one-year supply in a single box––a revolutionary, environmentally friendly upgrade to the contact lens market.”
“As with all of Hydrogel Vision’s premium lenses, Clarity H20 offers exceptional visual acuity and all-day comfort,” says Jeffrey Goldberg, O.D., of Plainsboro, N.J. “With three base curves, it is easy transitioning my patients from less comfortable lenses. Clarity H20 has enhanced my patient retention as well as my profitability.”
PureVision Toric
Bausch + Lomb
The PureVision Toric (balafilcon A) is a monthly disposable silicone hydrogel contact lens from Bausch + Lomb. It is indicated for daily or extended wear from one to 30 days for the correction of myopia, hyperopia and/or significant astigmatism in aphakic or non-aphakic eyes with up to 5.00D of astigmatism. The lens is available in a base curve of 8.7mm in sphere powers ranging from -0.25D to -6.00D in 0.25D steps and cylinder powers -0.75D, -1.25D and -1.75D.
The anterior surface of the PureVision Toric lens contains an aspheric optic zone and prism ballast as well as a comfort chamfer feature for improved rotational stability. The posterior surface is manufactured with a sphero-cylindrical curve to accommodate the required astigmatic power. Additionally, the PureVision Toric features three guide marks, which are located at 5, 6 and 7 o’clock, to help the clinician estimate lens rotation and orientation.
Like the full line of PureVision lenses, the PureVision Toric is designed with AerGel technology and is treated with the Performa surface process. According to the company, the AerGel material features a unique combination of silicone with high oxygen permeability and hydrogel and provides a high percentage of “bound water,” exceptional lens movement and comfort.
The Performa surface process transforms the hydrophobic silicone of the lens surface into hydrophilic silicate using charged gas molecules. Unlike a coating, the Performa treatment becomes a part of the lens matrix and does not rub off.
Together, AerGel technology and the Performa surface process help control lens hydration dynamics and facilitate transport for dehydration resistance.
“I love the rotational stability that the PureVision Toric lens design provides,” says Dr. Shovlin. “Also, the material gives patients the comfort and additional wearing options that a silicone hydrogel lens offers.”
Avaira
CooperVision
Avaira (enfilcon A) is a new two-week silicone hydrogel contact lens from CooperVision. It is indicated for daily wear for the correction of myopia and hyperopia in aphakic and non-aphakic patients who exhibit less than 2.00D of astigmatism. The lens is available in a base curve of 8.5mm and is now available in powers ranging from -0.25D to -12.00D in 0.25D steps from -0.25D to -6.00D and in 0.50D steps from -6.00D to -12.00D. Additionally, Avaira contact lenses offer up to 75% protection from ultraviolet-A radiation and 99% protection from ultraviolet-B radiation.3
Avaira is designed with Aquaform Comfort Science, a proprietary lens wetting technology. According to the company, Aquaform technology establishes hydrogen bonds with water molecules to create a naturally hydrophilic contact lens that retains water and minimizes dehydration. Because the wettability of the material is inherent, no coatings or surface treatments are added to the lens.
“Avaira is a truly unique two-week lens that features superior patient comfort,” says Dr. Brujic. “For a two-week lens, Avaira showcases a very high Dk and an extremely low modulus, which helps deliver increased patient comfort without compromising corneal health.”
1. Woods J, Woods CA, Fonn D. Early symptomatic presbyopes––what correction modality works best? Eye Contact Lens. 2009 Sep;35(5):221-6.
2. Moore L, Ferreira JT. Ultraviolet (UV) transmittance characteristics of daily disposable and silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2006 Jul;29(3):115
3. Deloss KS, Walsh JE, Bergmanson JP. Current silicone hydrogel UVR blocking lenses and their associated protection factors. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2009 Dec 28. [Epub ahead of print]
