Article Date: 6/1/2005

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One Minute to Clear, Comfortable Vision
Do you think it's impossible to fit a toric lens in about a minute? These practitioners are doing just that, and you can, too.

Instead of having astigmatic patients return to your chair two, three or four times to be fitted for toric contact lenses, you may achieve success the first time around with Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism. This lens quickly orients and stabilizes on the eye within 60 seconds. This ability to fit a comfortable lens in about a minute offers immediate gratification to you and your patients. Here's how these practitioners are benefiting from this new lens.

Designed for Speed

Upon introduction, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism was billed as "Zero to Fitting in 60 Seconds." For practitioners, that slogan is more than a catch phrase; it's a reality.

"After lens application, the scribe marks orient to the vertical meridian in about a minute," says Ashby C. Jones, O.D., Ph.D., San Francisco. "I take initial visual acuities at about 3 minutes and can over-refract at 5 minutes. Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism supports an efficient, reliable and straightforward fitting process that conserves my chair time." Practitioners say fitting stability of this lens is an improvement over other marketed lenses.

"When you apply Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, it's very stable within a minute," says John McClane III, O.D., Fernandina Beach, Fla.

"That's one of the more exciting features of this lens. Its not a prism-ballast lens, like many other lenses designed to correct astigmatism. We're not seeing torquing or twisting of this lens during the blink." Fast orientation means practitioners can fit Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism and can examine the patient immediately while he's still in the chair.

"I can begin my assessment immediately after applying both contact lenses," says Christian Guier, O.D., Jacksonville, Fla. "I can have the patient cover an eye and begin reading. Then I can do a slit lamp evaluation without delay. The toric alignment is typically ideal, and the patients are already excited about the visual clarity. There is no need to wait for the lens to settle. Patients love the comfort and rapid clarity, and doctors love the efficiency and patient satisfaction." For practitioners, this means quicker patient turnaround and happier patients.

"I'm in a busy practice with three ophthalmologists, and I see quite a few patients each day, so saving time is very important to me," says Steve Lancaster, O.D., Jacksonville Beach, Fla. "When I fit this lens, I don't have to wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to equilibrate. This lens will settle in a minute or two, and if I'm satisfied with the results, patients can leave with their lenses that day."

Practitioners who've tried Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism are moving it to the front of the line.

Out With the Old

In just a few months since market introduction, the design, feel, fit and practicality of Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism quickly is making this lens a must-have for contact lens practitioners.

"The rapid orientation and exceptional stability of the lens have made it our first lens of choice for astigmatic patients," says Thomas G. Quinn, O.D., Athens, Ohio. "I offer this lens to all appropriate patients whose prescriptions fit the available parameters."

Allan Tocker, O.D., Wilmington, Del., makes sure to tell his current and former toric lens patients about this new technology. "I offer this lens to practically everyone who's already wearing toric lenses or who wore them in the past," Dr. Tocker says. "Other toric contact lenses they've worn aren't perfect because they all have design compromises. Now, I'm fitting patients who were unsuccessful with other lenses because they either dried out or moved out of position." This need to improve on existing lens technology is helping drive acceptance of Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism.

"I look for patients who fit the lens parameters, but I also look for those who are wearing old technology," says Chris Cooper, O.D., Memphis, Tenn. "Patients are paying for our services and expertise, and we're doing them a disservice if we just rewrite prescriptions and move patients forward without educating them. I embrace technology and try to use it to improve a patient's eye care."

Attracting New Wearers

Many practitioners are presenting Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism to qualified patients, many of whom don't know they can wear the lens. These patients often become new contact lens wearers.

"I explain the benefits of this lens to candidate patients by saying, 'I have a new soft contact lens that can provide custom vision correction for your astigmatism,'" Dr. Jones says. "'The lens is comfortable, provides clear vision and provides a lot of oxygen for eye health. I'll apply a pair now and check your vision after they've settled on your eyes.'" This straightforward toric lens fitting process is a major benefit to attracting new patients.

"If they're not currently wearing toric lenses, or they're trying them for the first time, I immediately put patients in this lens," Dr. Tocker says. "If they are a current contact lens wearer, I tell them I have a better toric lens I want them to try."

A Revolution in Toric Lenses

The introduction of Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism has had an immediate impact on many practices; with practitioners realizing astigmatic patients can achieve comfort and convenience the first time they try this lens.

With traditional toric lenses, the 15- to 20-minute wait after initial fitting and the required return visits didn't place a premium on speed of fit and clarity. Patients now experience sharper optics and greater lens comfort in the time it takes to walk from the contact lens room to the exam chair.

 

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Contact Lens Spectrum, Issue: June 2005

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