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The Daily Disposable Lens: An Essential Tool for the Toolbox

BY SUSAN CONNELLY, FCLSA
MARCH 1998

In my mind, he was the perfect contact lens candidate -- a young professional who had grown tired of wearing eyeglasses. He had a moderate correction that would enable him to realize the benefits of wearing contact lenses versus wearing spectacles. He had tried soft lenses in the past, but found his visual acuity to be too variable and inaccurate. Due to his strong desire for crisp, clear vision and hassle-free lens wear, I recommended rigid gas permeable lenses. After several weeks, however, I was unable to make him comfortable. Trying to salvage a small bit of success, I offered him a few trial pairs of daily disposable lenses.

The next week, he told me he loved the lenses because they were comfortable and his vision with them was fabulous. And, he was particularly pleased that there was no lens care system to mess up. He insisted on ordering a six-month supply.

A Change of View

Why had I not considered daily disposable lenses as a first choice for this patient? I try to listen to patients and help them decide on the lens that best fits their lifestyle. In other words, I always try to use the right tool for the job. Daily disposable lenses weren't in my toolbox because I had pigeonholed them as lenses to be reserved for difficult situations and when conventional lenses prove inadequate. But my experience with this patient changed my view of this modality. I now understand that if you want your patients to have all of the options, you need to present all the options.There's nothing worse than a patient finding out about "the perfect lens" from a friend and then wondering why you didn't offer him the opportunity to try it.

Don't Protect Your Patients

In the past, I assumed that most ordinary lens wearers either wouldn't or couldn't pay for daily disposable lenses. Such attempts at protecting my patients from overspending kept me from offering them what is probably their best opportunity for safe, convenient lens wear. I am discovering that many patients put a high premium on eye health and would appreciate the chance to wear brand-new lenses every day, regardless of the price.

Keep in mind that when two-week disposable lenses entered the marketplace, we couldn't believe that patients would pay a premium for them. Now these lenses represent the fastest growing segment of the contact lens industry.

Ideal Candidates

Daily disposable lenses are the ideal option for the contact lens wearer who wants the ultimate in convenience and who doesn't want to be bothered by the hassle of cleaning and disinfecting their lenses. Keep in mind also that while many patients want full-time daily disposable wear, some prefer to wear spectacles most of the time and have the option of wearing contact lenses on special occasions.

I also recommend part-time wear of single-use lenses to successful rigid gas permeable lens wearers. Since rigid lenses are expensive to replace, patients like having pairs of daily disposable lenses on hand for activities that pose a high risk for losing a lens.

Shortest Is Best

The shorter the period between lens replacements, the better. As contact lens professionals, we need to recognize that there are distinct benefits that only daily disposable contact lenses can offer. We need to clear a very prominent space for daily disposable wear in our toolboxes, and become more confident about offering this option to patients who are good candidates for it.

Susan Connelly fits contact lenses at Park Nicollet Clinic in Minneapolis, MN. She serves as Education Consultant for the CLSA and is chair of their Fellow committee.