contact lens materials
How Modulus Affects Soft Contact Lenses
BY N. REX GHORMLEY, OD, FAAO

When selecting a soft contact lens for a patient, most practitioners usually evaluate lens oxygen permeability, design, polymer deposit characteristics and available parameters. But what effect does also does modulus have on the fitting and performance of a soft lens?

Demystifying Modulus

The modulus of a lens material is the measurement of the material's resistance to deformation under tension. In practical terms, the stiffer the lens material, the higher the lens modulus.

In the past, clinicians rarely discussed modulus because there was little difference in the modulus of mid-water low-Dk soft lenses. But, with today's silicone hydrogel lenses, we see significant differences in lens modulus.

For example, Figure 1 shows that there's almost no difference in modulus when comparing the Acuvue (Vistakon) and Proclear (CooperVision) lenses. But, you'll see a large difference in modulus among the five currently available silicone hydrogel lenses. The Acuvue Advance lens has the lowest modulus and the Night & Day (CIBA Vision) lens has the highest modulus. But what does this mean to us in clinical practice?

Comfort Questions

Are higher-modulus lenses more uncomfortable? Do they cause more ocular complications? The original lotrafilcon A (Night & Day) lens caused more cases of SEALs and GPC. But, the second generation lotrafilcon A lens has an aspheric design in two base curves, which has significantly reduced these complications.

Figure 1. Modulus of some soft lens materials. Graph courtesy of Lyndon Jones, PhD, University of Waterloo.

Some patients don't obtain maximum comfort with a high-modulus silicone hydrogel lens. In these cases I usually switch the patient to a lower-modulus silicone hydrogel lens.

Stiffer, high-modulus lenses may need a larger diameter or several base curves to achieve a good physical fit. Improper peripheral alignment may result in edge fluting. The lotrafilcon B (O₂Optix, CIBA) lens has a lower modulus and a larger diameter. Edge fluting is rare with this lens.

Better Lens Handling

Patients find that high-modulus lenses are easy to apply and remove and that it's simple to tell if they're "everted." My patients like the way a high-modulus lens "stands up" on their finger and doesn't "roll up."

The Bottom Line

If I prescribe high-modulus silicone hydrogels for a patient, I tell him that they're "stiffer," easy to handle and that lens awareness is normal for a few days. Most of my patients easily adjust in a short time. If after several weeks comfort is an issue, I then change the lens design and modulus.

We need to understand the different qualities in all silicone hydrogels. Modulus is another tool that we can use to increase the performance of this new lens technology.

Dr. Ghormley is in private practice in St. Louis, MO. He is a past president of the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of its Cornea & Contact Lens Section. He's also a consultant for CIBA Vision.