Join
the Revolution in Astigmatic Patient Care
Acuvue
Advance for Astigmatism represents a fresh contact lens option for a patient segment
that's ready for change.
Long
underrepresented in the development of contact lenses, astigmatic patients now enjoy
access to a new Accelerated Stabilization Design that delivers stable vision, all-day
comfort and can be fit in a fraction of the time required by other toric contact
lenses.
Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism features the patented Hydraclear technology, which is the brand
name for the proprietary technology that brings together a remarkable moisture-rich
wetting agent with high performance base materials to form clear, wettable lenses,
resulting in a unique silky, soft feel. In this article, several practitioners
describe their experience with Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism and its impact on
their practices.
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With
Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, the number of visits is decreasing while office efficiencies are increasing.
— Chris
Cooper, O.D.
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Better Fit the
First Visit
Contact lens
practitioners and their patients usually are pressed for time, with packed schedules
and overlapping commitments the norm. Nevertheless, expectations are high, especially
for patients seeking contact lenses, and that first visit is crucial.
"Since
I began fitting Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, the number of visits needed to fine-tune
the fit has decreased quite a bit," says John McClane III, O.D., Fernandina Beach,
Fla. "Usually, I'd see a patient three times. Now, most of the time,
these lenses fit at the first
visit."
Saving valuable
chair time while fitting patients correctly the first time is a key component of
this lens. "Chair time is extremely important for all involved," says Steve Lancaster,
O.D., Jacksonville Beach, Fla. "With these lenses, my patients are impressed because
I have them in stock; they can leave the same day with the lenses and their visual
acuity is sharp and clear the first time."
These
achievements are a testament to the breakthrough Accelerated Stabilization Design,
which speeds lens orientation. This advanced design is causing a revolution in the
treatment of astigmatism.
Active Eye-Lens
Stabilization
Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism is designed to minimize interaction between eyelid and lens when
the lens is correctly positioned. Unlike other toric contact lenses, Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism harnesses the power of the blink to work for the patient.
For
patients who've worn toric lenses before and experienced what some practitioners
call "tolerable toric blur," the design of this lens is a welcome relief. "Once
the lens equilibrates, it is less likely to rotate out of position with a blink
or eye movement," says Ashby C. Jones, O.D., Ph.D., San Francisco. "Continuous,
active eye-lens stabilization means my patients experience less intermittent blur
during the day, which is common with other toric lens designs I've used."
Contact
lens practitioners say Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism takes some of the guesswork
out of selecting a lens.
"When
I see an astigmatic patient, I don't want to worry about which lens is best,"
says Allan Tocker, O.D., Wilmington, Del. "I don't want to apply a lens, keep my
fingers crossed and ask the patient, 'Can you see?' This lens gives me and my patients
instant gratification."
Exceptional Comfort
and Health
Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism allows about 100% of available oxygen to reach the cornea, providing
more comfortable all-day wear and, according to contact lens practitioners, creating
a new standard.
"Allowing
oxygen to reach the cornea while still retaining comfort is essential to a patient's
health," says Michael P. Rosenblatt, O.D., Washington. "We know more oxygen is advantageous
for all-day wear, but a lens still needs to be comfortable. This lens meets both
criteria."
Besides
excellent oxygen transmissibility, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism features other
properties that influence comfort. All-day moisture and a smooth fit, combined with
a soft and flexible feel, give patients a comfortable toric lens.
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| Higher
Dk/t in the silicone-hydrogel
material helps support corneal health. |
Upgrading for Low-Cylinder
Patients
Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism lets patients with low-cylinder astigmatism experience the feeling
of a spherical lens and the vision of a toric lens. Patients no long have to settle
for "20/happy" vision.
"Some
of my patients are very demanding, and they're tired of seeing 20/20-minus," Dr.
Lancaster says. "They want sharp, crisp vision throughout the day, and this lens
provides that."
Many
contact lens practitioners are reporting from
personal wearing experience when they discuss Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism. "I'm
nearsighted with about 0.75D of cylinder," Dr. McClane says. "I've always worn spherical
lenses, which corrected my vision to about 20/30. Now, I wear Acuvue Advance for
Astigmatism lenses. My vision is 20/20, and I'm much more comfortable."
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Patients
want outstanding and reproducible visual clarity, lasting comfort and ocular
health.
— Christian
Guier, O.D. |
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Zero to Happy in
60 Seconds
Contact lens
practitioners all agree on one thing: This lens is long overdue for a patient population
whose needs have not been met satisfactorily until now. "Patients want outstanding
and reproducible visual clarity, lasting comfort and ocular health," says Christian
Guier, O.D., Jacksonville, Fla. "I enjoy offering this new option, which allows
a very straightforward fitting technique and rapid results for both the patient
and doctor."
Acuvue
Advance for Astigmatism has made converts of many practitioners who feel they do
their patients, and their profession, a disservice if they can't offer the latest
technology.
"Even
though some of us may be slow to change, our patients certainly are not," says Chris
Cooper, O.D., Memphis, Tenn. "They're looking for practitioners who are forward-thinking,
progressive and using new technology. So I present this lens to my patients by saying,
'This is the first significant change in astigmatic lens design in 15 years,' and
they respond in a positive manner when they are fit with the lens."
For
a Healthy Eye
In the past,
astigmatic patients have made too many office trips, tried too many lenses and experienced
disappointing results, say these contact lens practitioners. Built for speed and
ease of use and designed for vision and comfort, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism
offers a solution for these patients. And the patients appreciate it.
Contact Lens Spectrum, Issue: June 2005