editor's perspective

2012 Top 10 List of Lens-Related Topics

By Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PHD, FAAO

We can think of a variety of lists…the world's richest or most powerful, celebrities, sports rankings, the list goes on and on. In fact, I've just created a short list of lists! It has been two years since we last updated our “Top 10” list of hot topics related to contact lenses. It's always a challenge to compile such a list, given the numerous items that get put forth for consideration. Following is our list for 2012, in no particular order:
1. Contact lens discomfort (note also the launching of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society's Contact Lens Discomfort Workshop)
2. Daily disposables
3. Infiltrative keratitis
4. Compliance
5. Myopia control
6. Regulatory oversight of contact lenses and care solutions
7. Specialty lenses (e.g., sclerals)
8. Fitting patients in the lenses that they should be wearing—think torics and multifocals
9. The internet and continued competition for sales
10. Concerns about contact lens education being diluted within professional training programs

As you might imagine, it's incredibly hard to summarize all of the issues facing the contact lens community in a top 10 list, but we think these are among the most critical for 2012. Stay tuned for updates to it in the future.