Johnson & Johnson Vision (JJV) launched its Acuvue RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS) in October 2019. The company says that Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS disinfects like a peroxide with the simplicity and comfort of a multipurpose solution. It offers broad-spectrum disinfection against U.S. Food and Drug Administration/International Organization for Standardization standard-panel microorganisms, comparable to peroxide systems; greater than 99.9% kill-rate against both forms of Acanthamoeba (in vitro); and contact lens comfort that lasts all day, according to the company.

In addition, Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS provides sustained antimicrobial activity in the lens case—even after partial evaporation, according to the company. And while it is effective at killing germs and bacteria, JJV says that it is also gentle on the eye.

Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS is a sterile, buffered aqueous solution with alexidine dihydrochloride 0.00016% and polyquaternium-1 0.0003% as preservatives/disinfectants, boric acid, sodium borate, Tetronic 904, edetate disodium, sodium chloride, and purified water.

I recently spoke with practitioners who are actively prescribing Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS in their practices. Here we share their clinical experiences.

Please tell us about your general experience with Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS.

“Acuvue RevitaLens is my go-to recommendation for my soft reusable contact lens wearers,” says Danielle Richardson, OD, of Los Angeles. “I first discovered this product as an optometry student because my family optometrist recommended it for my mother. My mom immediately noticed an improvement in her contact lens comfort, so I tried it myself and noticed the same. I recommend it because of its cleaning efficacy and its ability to provide all-day lens comfort. It’s a simple and effective product that dramatically improves contact lens wear for patients.” Dr. Richardson notes that Acuvue RevitaLens cleans as well as hydrogen peroxide solutions do without the complicated cleaning routine and that patients are able to use Acuvue RevitaLens like a traditional multipurpose solution, which can help improve compliance.

Chandra Mickles, OD, MS, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, says, “The overwhelmingly positive patient reactions to Acuvue RevitaLens have been remarkable. My patients, especially those who have busy lifestyles, appreciate the solution’s almost effortless and quick care regimen.”

Dr. Mickles continues, “As a director of a robust dry eye clinic, I examine many contact lens patients who have dry eye. My dry eye patients report that their lenses feel cleaner and more comfortable when using Acuvue RevitaLens. I also have not seen one instance of solution toxicity due to the solution’s gentle nature. Acuvue RevitaLens has provided the perfect balance of simplicity, protection, and comfort for a wide variety of my patients.”

Who are the best candidates for this product and why?

Both Dr. Mickles and Dr. Richardson noted that most if not all reusable soft contact lens wearers are good candidates for Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS. Dr. Mickles adds, “It’s always important to match a lens care solution to an individual patient’s needs. Many patients today lead busy lives, which can result in noncompliant care behaviors. I frequently recommend Acuvue RevitaLens for these patients knowing that its hydrogen peroxide-quality disinfection should ensure safe wear when lifestyle or wearing schedule make a peroxide system not ideal. I also often recommend Acuvue RevitaLens when I see signs of noncompliance with lens care, such as lens deposits or soiled lens cases.”

Both practitioners also recommend Acuvue RevitaLens for patients who are experiencing comfort problems that seem to be solution-related. “I particularly recommend Acuvue RevitaLens to those who experience discomfort or dryness with their current contact lens regimen. Sometimes this dryness can be attributed to dirty lenses or to a sensitivity to their current lens care solution. Acuvue RevitaLens cleans lenses more thoroughly and provides patients with improved contact lens comfort,” Dr. Richardson says. “I always dispense a fresh pair of contact lenses with the recommendation to begin using Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS. I see patients for a one-week follow up, and most notice an improvement in comfort.”

Dr. Mickles notes, “Dry eye patients can also benefit from Acuvue RevitaLens. Harsh preservatives in some solutions can add to existing ocular surface staining. In addition, cost and wearing schedules (i.e., part-time wear and long working hours) may prohibit patients from using daily disposables or a preservative-free care system. With its low potential for corneal staining, Acuvue RevitaLens is a product that I know will perform reliably without exacerbating ocular surface compromise or irritation.”

Tell us about the prescribing process and what has worked best for you.

Educating patients about proper lens care procedures is key to a successful wearing experience with Acuvue RevitaLens for both eyecare practitioners. Dr. Richardson says, “Oftentimes, discomfort in extended wear contact lenses can be attributed to a hygiene issue. It’s important to educate patients on contact lens case hygiene along with proper contact lens cleaning. Acuvue RevitaLens ensures that the lenses themselves are clean, and I educate patients to ensure that they’re keeping their cases clean as well.”

Dr. Mickles notes that prescribing the appropriate contact lens for an individual patient is only the first step toward a successful contact lens-wearing experience. Pairing the contact lens with a quality lens care solution is paramount for ensuring optimal outcomes. Therefore, she prescribes not only the best contact lens but also a care solution that complements the contact lens prescribed. “I avoid the common practice of just handing patients an Acuvue RevitaLens starter kit. I explain why I specifically chose Acuvue RevitaLens for them and why using it is best for their ocular health and comfort. This recommendation process seems to resonate with my patients and to enhance compliance with my care regimen,” she says. Dr. Mickles adds, “I also review Acuvue RevitaLens’ care instructions. The quick and streamlined care regimen has gone a long way to make my patients more fully compliant with cleaning practices.”

How has Acuvue RevitaLens MPDS helped with troubleshooting for particular patients? Tell us about any success stories in that regard.

Both practitioners have found that Acuvue RevitaLens can help patients who are experiencing discomfort with contact lens wear or who demonstrate signs consistent with solution sensitivity. “I’ve seen several patients who are happy with their contact lenses and have no complaints, but clinically they show signs of contact lens solution-induced corneal staining,” Dr. Richardson says.

“Whenever I see corneal signs of contact lens solution hypersensitivity, I always recommend Acuvue RevitaLens. Upon follow up, the cornea is clear, and patients report improved comfort. It’s always so rewarding to improve the quality of patients’ lives, especially when they didn’t realize how much they were suffering before,” she notes.

Dr. Mickles shares the story of one patient whose contact lens experience improved when he switched to Acuvue RevitaLens. She says, “Acuvue RevitaLens has been a problem solver for several of my patients, but one patient in particular demonstrates this very well. Earlier this year, a 42-year-old male presented to our clinic for a contact lens refit. He experienced significant lens discomfort and dryness after a few hours of lens wear with his habitual contact lenses. Daily disposables were not an option for him due to his high refractive error, steep keratometry readings, and cost. Thus, I prescribed reusable lenses.

“His hectic lifestyle and significant lens deposits made Acuvue RevitaLens the perfect lens care system. At his follow-up visit, he ecstatically reported that his two-week-old lenses still delivered exceptional comfort all day, and I was pleased to not see lens deposits,” says Dr. Mickles. CLS