A Carefree Summer Vacation for All

BY MARY JAMESON, OPT., T.R
JULY 1997

As you're reading this, many of your contact lens patients are scheduling a vacation, a wedding and honeymoon, or a long weekend away from home. Advance planning helps these special events go smoothly, but there are always things left behind or forgotten until the last minute. Sometimes patients take their visual needs for granted, so this may be a good time to review some classic summertime issues with your staff so they're comfortable reinforcing this information with patients.

SPARE LENSES CAN SAVE THE DAY

Often, patients don't realize the importance of having a spare pair of contact lenses until they lose one while they're away from home. It's always difficult to explain to a custom toric lens wearer why we don't have his lenses in stock, but it's most difficult when he's calling from his cabin in the mountains.

Even patients who wear disposable lenses are not immune to the lost lens syndrome. They should be reminded to take more lenses than they expect to need "just in case."

Sometimes patients use their previous lenses as spares. The lenses must be in good condition and patients must understand the importance of thorough disinfection prior to wearing them.

BACKUP SPECTACLES

When someone needs a contact lens ASAP, you can be sure that he doesn't have a current pair of spectacles with him. He probably has years-old, out-of-style spectacles that he wouldn't be caught dead in. With all the frames and lens designs available today, patients can have a backup pair of eyeglasses that are economical, flattering and fun.

SUN, SAND AND SURF

Outdoor activities, especially water sports, increase during this time of year. Going to a lake, the shore or a pool becomes a frequent pastime. Protecting eyes from the harmful effects of the elements is imperative. Assistants can explain that the sun's ultraviolet rays are thought to be harmful to the crystalline lens and the retina. They can also explain that sunglasses are only effective if the lenses are designed to filter out near-UV wavelengths, so the pair that a patient picks up at a drugstore or a souvenir shop may not be effective in absorbing UV. Some sunglasses actually may cause more UV radiation to enter the eye. Have your staff explain the options for protecting eyes from UV rays: 1) UV-absorbing contact lenses (Table 1); 2) UV-absorbing sunglasses with wraparound frames or oversized lenses; 3) UV-blocking spectacle lenses, including polycarbonate or high-index lenses with a UV-absorbing coating, UV-dyed plastic lenses or photochromic lenses; 4) a wide-brimmed hat or cap.

SWIMMING WITH CONTACT LENSES

Should patients be allowed to swim with their contact lenses on? Will they do it anyway? What do you say when they ask?

A thorough case history and accurate records of any instances when the patient mentioned swimming while wearing his lenses will help identify patients with whom this issue should be discussed. Thoroughly brief your staff on how to handle questions on this topic so they can reinforce your policy.

While summer should be the season when things slow down for everyone, it's also a time to make sure that patients' eye care and eyewear is up-to-date. A proactive approach with follow-up by your staff may help you avoid that dreaded "I lost my lens and I'm leaving tomorrow" telephone call that seems to happen only on a Saturday afternoon. CLS