product spectrum

GP Designs for Comfort and Keratoconus

Valley Contax now offers two new GP lenses designed by Dr. Rob Breece: Comfort XL and KMax.

The Comfort XL is a corneal-scleral lens designed to offer superior comfort. Valley Contax says that Comfort XL is a good choice when dealing with 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock staining and for anytime a patient is intolerant of soft toric or GP lenses for any reason.

Patients who exhibit astigmatism and have tried unsuccessfully to wear spherical lenses are also likely candidates for the Comfort XL design, according to the company. Fitting sets for the Comfort XL are available in 10-lens sets of 1.00D-step increments. The company recommends 39.00D to 48.00D as an ideal set. Diameters include 11mm, 11.5mm, 12mm and 12.5mm. Every Comfort XL lens is plasma treated.

The KMax is a 12mm overall diameter lens design primarily indicated for advanced stages of keratoconus, as well as for pellucid marginal degeneration, corneal transplant and post-surgery patients, according to the manufacturer. Valley Contax also says that the KMax design bypasses the affected zones of the central cornea, allowing centration and a smooth alignment along the periphery of the cornea. Call (800) 547-8815 or visit www.valleycontax.com.

Hybrid Multifocal Lens Launches

SynergEyes, Inc. has launched SynergEyes Multifocal, its new hybrid lens for correcting presbyopia. The company says that unlike aspheric multifocal lens designs, the SynergEyes Multifocal concentrates the optics within two distinct focal ranges, providing patients with much sharper vision where they need it most. Furthermore, a choice of multiple add powers allows the near focal range to be placed precisely where the patient prefers without the dilution of optical clarity that typically results from using higher add powers in other multifocal designs, according to SynergEyes.

SynergEyes Multifocal lenses feature a paflufocon D GP lens center (Paragon HDS 100, Dk = 100) and a hemiberfilcon A (27-percent water) soft skirt. Parameters include 14.5mm diameter; base curves of 7.10mm to 8.00mm in 0.10mm steps; skirt curvatures of 1.0 (steep) and 1.3 (flat); sphere powers of +4.00D to –8.00D in 0.25D steps and from –8.50D to –9.00D in 0.50D steps; add powers of +1.25D, +1.75D and +2.25D; and add segment sizes of 1.9mm and 2.2mm. The lens is indicated for daily wear with a recommended six-month replacement schedule. The company recommends chemical and hydrogen peroxide lens care. Call (877) SEE-2012 (733-2012) or visit www.synergeyes.com.

Parameter Expansion for Silicone Hydrogel

CooperVision has expanded the parameters of its Biofinity silicone hydrogel lenses to include an extended minus power range. New parameters now include minus sphere powers from –0.25D to –6.00D in 0.25D steps and from –6.00D to –10.00D in 0.50D steps. Biofinity is manufactured in comfilcon A material, with a water content of 48 percent, reported Dk of 128 and reported Dk/t of 160. The lens also features an 8.6mm base curve and 14.0mm diameter. Call (800) 538-7824 or visit www.coopervision.com.

Expanded Distribution for Dry Eye Treatment

Aton Pharma, Inc. has launched an expanded, comprehensive distribution program that incorporates sampling, reimbursement assistance and patient education resources for the dry eye medication Lacrisert (hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert). Lacrisert is a preservative-free, once-daily, sustained release prescription insert that helps retain moisture, stabilize the tear film and lubricate the eye, according to the manufacturer.

In addition to assuring a constant and ready supply to wholesale distributors and providing ordering instructions to all retail pharmacies, Aton Pharma is supporting Lacrisert with a reimbursement assistance help line and other resources. A new Web site, www.lacrisert.com, provides physician and patient education materials. Call (877) ATON-549 (286-6549) or visit www.lacrisert.com.