As we have noted in other editorial materials, there are mounting technologies or platforms that might be considered “disruptive” to the contact lens market. Online prescribing venues for contact lenses, for instance, are challenging traditional prescribing practices, particularly for soft contact lenses, and this raises many questions. For example, in the absence of an ocular examination with specialty testing, how will patients learn about new technologies that are best suited for them? Will these platforms be adapted to attempt fitting patients who have astigmatism or presbyopia?

This latter question brings up the theme of this particular issue—specialty lenses! If you think about it, most (if not all) specialty lenses require extensive interaction between patients and practitioners. Many subjective aspects of fitting specialty lenses would seem impossible to troubleshoot outside of an in-person examination. Likewise, the many objective tests and assessments made in the specialty lens fitting process would seem impossible to replicate outside of the examination room. Specialty lenses are of significant value to our patients, but also to our profession. It is important that we remember to celebrate the success of specialty contact lenses in our practices.