NEWS spectrum

Study Highlights Behaviors of Online CL Purchasers

Internet contact lens purchasers typically don't follow their eyecare practitioner's recommendations, potentially placing them at greater risk for complications, according to a new study reported inthe January issue of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association. The research was conducted by Joshua Fogel, PhD, and Chaya Zidile of Brooklyn College, New York, and included 151 students from the university who were contact lens wearers.

The findings indicate that lens wearers who purchase their contact lenses online or through a store (such as a whole-sale club or optical chain outlet) are less likely to adhere to healthy eyecare practices as recommended by their practitioner.

The study found that 86 percent of individuals who purchased their lenses from an eyecare practitioner received a yearly comprehensive examination. In comparison, only 76.5 percent of individuals who purchased their lenses via the Internet saw an eyecare practitioner on a routine basis. Also, 35 that the order matched their prescription.

One of the largest discrepancies found between in-office and out-of-office contact lens purchases was in the number of lens wearers who saw an eye doctor for a follow-up appointment to ensure the proper fit of their lenses. Fifty-seven percent of patients who purchased their lenses from an eyecare practitioner went in for a follow-up appointment, compared to only 29 percent of online purchasers.

"Although buying contact lenses online can be more cost-effective and convenient, we strongly urge patients to understand that there are risks involved to wearing contact lenses," said Dr. Louise Sclafani, chair of the American Optometric Association's Contact Lens and Cornea Section. "Because of this, it's necessary that patients visit their eye doctor on a regular basis and communicate any recent visual changes and discomfort experienced as a result of contact lens wear."

CooperVision Launches "Adopt a Patient"

■ A new program is giving optometry students nationwide the opportunity to gain handson, contact-lens-fitting experience in their communities fitting patients who are in need of contact lenses but unable to afford them.

The new CooperVision, Inc., "Adopt A Patient" program allows primarily third- and fourth-year optometry students to fit patients in any of CooperVision's contact lenses, free of charge. CooperVision will also provide the patients with a complimentary one-year supply of the prescribed contact lenses. The company expects to invest approximately $200,000 in support of the "Adopt A Patient" program.

Programs are currently active or in development at the New England College of Optometry, Northeastern State University College of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry and the Southern California College of Optometry. Each participating school will individually determine all exam fees, fitting fees and follow-up care.

"The CooperVision 'Adopt A Patient' program gives my students access to learning opportunities they may not otherwise experience in contact lens clinic on campus," said Bill Edmondson, OD, FAAO, chief of contact lens services, Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University.

For more information about the "Adopt A Patient" program, or to order contact lenses for the program, please contact Mark André, FAAO, at mandre@coopervision.com.

Paragon Awarded Fourth CRT Patent

Paragon Vision Sciences, Inc. was recently awarded its fourth United States patent for the company's Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT). This newest patent issued is for methods of fitting Paragon CRT lenses for overnight corneal reshaping. According to Paragon, this patent complements previous patents for the CRT lens design itself and the methods of design and manufacturing.

Paragon also announced that 2007 was a record year for its overnight corneal reshaping product. The company reports that the strong double-digit growth was prominent not only in the United States but also worldwide as patient referrals and consumer awareness increased significantly in 2007. Practitioner awareness and confidence in the safety of the modality was also extended throughout the year as only nine adverse events have been reported over a period of nearly six years since FDA approval, with only two adverse events reported in the most recent 24 months.

"We are extremely proud of our safety record in the field of overnight corneal reshaping and continue to make significant strides in driving practitioner education and patient compliance," said Bill Meyers, Paragon Vision Sciences VP Science and Technology.