As year-end approaches, Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) have the opportunity to help patients make the most of their health savings and flexible spending accounts (HSA/FSA)—and Alcon is here to support them during this critical window. 

Through innovative products like the Alcon WaterInnovations™ portfolio, patient education, and practice support, Alcon is helping ECPs deliver impactful care while maximizing year-end benefits for their patients.

Seize the End-of-Year Benefits Opportunity

For ECPs and their practices, this is a chance to enhance patient loyalty, helping improve long-term patient and practice outcomes.

“Many patients don’t realize their HSA/FSA dollars can be used for vision expenses like contact lenses,” says Christopher Lopez, OD,* an optometrist at Griebenow Eyecare in Clintonville, WI.

When patients don’t use their benefits, the effects can ripple: Patients may miss out on products that can enhance their quality of life; practices may lose revenue or miss the chance to strengthen patient loyalty.

Patients also may stop wearing their lenses entirely due to discomfort.¹ Research shows that discomfort drives dropout,¹ and about 23% discontinue wear altogether.^2,3 “Connecting unused benefits to advanced contact lens technology may help prevent this attrition,” says Dr. Lopez.*  

Build Trust and Support Your Patients and Practice with Alcon WaterInnovations™

The solution, Dr. Lopez* says, is education—with turnkey toolkits, Alcon makes it easy to integrate reminders into every patient encounter. “Whether it’s a poster in the waiting room or a quick script for staff, they’ve thought of everything,” says Dr. Lopez.* “When fitting patients in Alcon WaterInnovations™ contact lenses, even a quick question like, ‘Did you know your HSA/FSA can go directly to help cover today’s contact lens purchase?’ can spark the conversation.

“The breadth of Alcon’s WaterInnovations™ portfolio means nearly every patient—daily, weekly and monthly wearers, including those with astigmatism or presbyopia—can find a comfortable,^4-7 high-performing option,” explains Dr. Lopez.*

The WaterInnovations™ portfolio includes DAILIES TOTAL1^® contact lenses, Alcon’s gold standard in comfort that feels like nothing;⁴ PRECISION1^®, a great daily disposable alternative for new or cost-conscious wearers; PRECISION7^®, an intuitive⁸ 1-week replacement lens for when daily disposables aren’t an option; and TOTAL30^® contact lenses for patients who want affordability and outstanding comfort, all month long.⁵

By helping patients maximize their benefits and experience the all-day comfort^4-7 they deserve, ECPs can position themselves as trusted advocates for affordability and comfort.

Providing the Comfort and Care Patients Deserve

Dr. Lopez* explains that by pairing benefit education with cutting-edge contact lens recommendations, ECPs can help drive long-term value for both patients and their practice.

He offers simple tips to integrate HSA/FSA messaging into everyday practice: 

• Train staff to ask, “Would you like to use your HSA/FSA card for today’s purchase?” 
• Use posters or email to highlight innovative product options and special offers that Alcon has available. 
• Position advanced lens technologies like those in the Alcon WaterInnovations™ portfolio as a smart, health-focused use of patients’ HSA/FSA funds.

“They’re not just satisfied with their vision correction; they’re excited about it,” says Dr. Lopez.* “That enthusiasm encourages them to repurchase and to trust our practices with their ongoing care. And with Alcon’s support—from innovative lenses to patient education tools—it’s easier for us to deliver that kind of experience every day.” 

References 

1. Stapleton F, Bakkar M, Carnt N, et al. CLEAR - Contact lens complications. Cont Lens and Anterior Eye. 2021; 44: 330-36.
2. Dumbleton K, Woods CA, Jones LW, Fonn D. The impact of contemporary contact lenses on contact lens discontinuation. Eye Contact Lens. 2013;39(1):93-99.
3. Sulley A, Young G, Hunt C. Retention rates in new contact lens wearers. Eye Contact Lens. 2018;44:S273-S282. 
4. Pérez-Gómez I, Giles T. European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient daily disposable contact lens. Clin Optom. 2014;6: 17–23. doi.org/10.2147/OPTO.S55304.
5. In a clinical study wherein patients (n=66) used CLEAR CARE solution for nightly cleaning, disinfecting, and storing; Alcon data on file, 2021.
6. Fogt J, Patton K. Long day wear experience with water surface daily disposable contact lenses. Clin Optom. 2022(14):93-99.
7. In a 2-week prospective clinical study in the US; n=181; CLEAR CARE Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution used for cleaning and disinfection; Alcon data on file, 2023.
8. Based on a survey of 500 US optometrists who fit contact lenses; Alcon data on file, 2023. 

Christopher Lopez, OD, practices at Griebenow Eyecare in Clintonville, WI. His clinical focus lies in ocular disease and specialty contact lenses. Dr. Lopez contributes to various optometry journals and lectures nationwide, and he serves as director of career services for ODs on Finance. *Dr. Lopez is a paid consultant for Alcon.

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