Now
Entering the Comfort Zone
Astigmatic
patients traditionally sacrifice comfort for vision in contact lenses. Not anymore.
Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism is
four times more flexible than any first-generation silicone hydrogel lens. This
is made possible in part by Hydraclear technology.
Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism is the only lens for astigmatic patients that combines the benefits
of both hydrogel and silicone hydrogel to create an oxygen-rich material enhanced
by a moisture-rich wetting agent.
Additionally,
the lens features four dimensions that deliver exceptional comfort to the wearer.
The
lens is designed to deliver all-day moisture that reduces end-of-day discomfort
or irritation; provides a smooth fit; a soft and flexible feel; excellent
breathability;
plus the highest UV protection available in a toric lens.
With
the flexibility of a non-silicone hydrogel lens and a lid interaction factor that
harnesses the power of the blink, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism offers improved
comfort for patients, a major factor in keeping current patients in contact lenses
and bringing back dropouts, according to practitioners.
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The
first thing my patients notice about this lens is the comfort.
— Ashby
C. Jones, O.D., Ph.D.
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You
Can Recapture Dropouts
Many toric lens
dropouts are patients who've had significant fitting and serious comfort issues
in the past. Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism is targeted directly at this audience,
and practitioners are hoping patients will give this new lens a chance to correct
their vision in a manner that works.
"In
my experience, this lens has a much higher probability
of meeting a patient's comfort expectations than any other toric lens I could fit,"
says Ashby C. Jones, O.D., Ph.D., San Francisco.
Others are finding
that Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism is helping them recapture a segment of their
practice that may not have been possible before.
"I've
had several astigmatic patients drop out of their lenses. With this lens, I've succeeded
in putting them back in a lens," says John McClane III, O.D., Fernandina Beach,
Fla. "Their vision is stable, and they're very comfortable in this lens." A group
that has traditionally felt underrepresented is now reaping the benefits of the
latest in toric technology. And they are responding.
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Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism offers
a design that harnesses the power of the blink through a controlled lens/lid interaction. |
"In
my practice, I see patients who have tried toric lenses for up to 10 years. When
they come in and I ask them, 'If I can give you comfort and vision, would you be
interested in wearing contact lenses again?' they say 'Oh, my goodness, yes,'" says
Allan Tocker, O.D., Wilmington, Del. "Historically, patients with astigmatism have
been ignored. They were the last patients to get contact lenses, and in my opinion,
the designs to treat astigmatism were substandard. Now there's a design that works,
and people are starting to rethink their lens needs."
If
patients have failed with other toric lenses, practitioners are confident Acuvue
Advance for Astigmatism can bring many back.
"This
lens represents an opportunity for patients who failed in toric lenses as little
as 5 years ago," says Chris Cooper, O.D., Memphis, Tenn. "Many times, these patients
believe 'Once I've failed, I'm always going to be a failure.' Now contact lenses
are an option again. I'm proactively working with patients and introducing this
technology. I can take care of these patients' needs with Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism."
Once
a patient is in the practitioner's chair and hears about the benefits of this
lens, he often agrees to try it.
"This
lens has helped me save several patients from turning into dropouts," says Thomas
G. Quinn, O.D., Athens, Ohio. "Most of my patients are pleased with the comfort
and vision provided by this lens."
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This lens has helped me save
several patients from turning into dropouts.
— Thomas
G. Quinn, O.D. |
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No Vision Trade-off
for Comfort
From the moment
patients apply their contact lenses to the end of the day, when other toric lenses
tend to dry out and cause redness and itching, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism continues
to provide comfort without sacrificing vision.
"Comfort
and stability is just as important as vision," says Michael Slusky, O.D., Chicago.
"Patients I've successfully fit with Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism have reported
this lens to be the most comfortable lens they have ever worn. Furthermore, patients
who require an astigmatism correction for only one eye have also reported very good
comfort with Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism. I was impressed with the clarity of
correction this lens could achieve, while maintaining the comfort found only in
a spherical lens."
Harnessing
the power of the blink has made converts of many patients.
"What
my patients notice first about this lens is the comfort," Dr. Jones says. "Significantly,
patients don't notice a difference in comfort wearing a spherical lens on one eye
and Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism on the other eye. Patients don't complain about having to forcefully
blink and move their eyes around intermittently during the day to reorient the lens."
The
Hydraclear component is crucial to many practitioners who prescribe Acuvue Advance
for Astigmatism.
"Hydraclear
is a unique technology that makes the Acuvue Advance family the most comfortable
lenses out there, even more than most other silicone hydrogels," says Michael P.
Rosenblatt, O.D., Washington. "The combination of the flexibility and the moisture
of the lens along with the oxygen permeability all work together for the patient's
benefit."
Meeting the Challenge
Too often in
the past, patients were faced with a difficult choice with their toric lenses: Vision
or comfort?
Now
with Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism that choice has been simplified into a toric
lens that offers both. Patients no longer have to choose between vision and comfort
with the breakthrough design of this lens.
Built
to deliver clear, crisp vision on the first visit, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism
can be worn from early in the morning until nighttime with reduced discomfort or
redness from drying eyes.
Harnessing
the power of the blink doesn't need to mean sacrificing the impact of everyday comfort
anymore. The Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism is leading to a revolution in patient
satisfaction.
"The
lens is easy to fit and comfortable to wear," Dr. Rosenblatt says. "Patients who
wear this lens tell me it's the most comfortable toric lens they've ever worn."
Contact Lens Spectrum, Issue: June 2005