Contact lenses without compromise

A refreshing walk through the rain-soaked countryside? Contact lenses can help patients to enjoy the view without peering through an array of raindrops on their glasses.

A relaxed afternoon baking? This form of vision correction avoids the inevitable scramble to wipe away condensation when checking if the latest bake is ready to take out of the oven.

While contact lenses unlock a multitude of possibilities for many patients, in the past, astigmatic patients with presbyopia have had limited vision correction options available.

However, the launch of a new type of contact lens has resulted in a step change in what can be achieved for this patient group.

ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day multifocal for astigmatism is the first and only daily disposable multifocal toric lens¹ – meaning that astigmatic patients with presbyopia no longer need to make compromises when using contact lenses.

Professional affairs consultant, Nadia Siddiqi, from the Vision team at Johnson & Johnson, told OT that in the past this patient group would often have to make do with monovision or wearing glasses with their contact lenses.

Siddiqi noted that while a monthly multifocal toric contact lens was available, many patients ideally sought a daily option.

“Sometimes the monthly modality acted as a barrier for a patient, especially if they only want to wear their contact lenses intermittently,” she said.

Siddiqi is already noticing in practice the significant difference that daily disposable multifocal torics are making for patients.

“Traditionally, we had to make the best of the options we had. To be able to order a daily disposable multifocal toric as easily as any other lens, I think is amazing – it’s a testament to the latest innovative technology,” she highlighted.

“Multifocal torics have advanced so much, and they are definitely tapping into a very eager demographic,” Siddiqi added.

Contact lens tips for locums

Reflecting on how locum optometrists can meet the contact lens needs of presbyopic astigmatic patients, Siddiqi highlighted the value of staying informed.

“When it comes to recommending contact lenses, especially for this patient group, it’s really important to have up-to-date knowledge so that we are able to convey that information to patients,” she shared.

Siddiqi also encouraged locum optometrists to actively mention contact lenses as one of a range of options for correcting vision.

“When it comes to the presbyopic category, contact lenses aren’t always something that is mentioned,” she said.

When talking with patients about contact lenses, Siddiqi will take into account the individual lifestyle and interests of the patient sitting before her.

She might ask the patient to consider activities they enjoy where their glasses are frustrating them, or they worry they might break – for example, going to a gym class or hiking and suddenly it starts to rain.

“I often talk about the optical wardrobe, and how we can have multiple different types of vision correction for different purposes,” Siddiqi shared.

For presbyopic astigmatic patients in particular, Siddiqi encouraged locum optometrists to let them know that a daily contact lens is now available for them.

“A lot of patients still don’t realise that there might be contact lens options for them, because historically they might have been told that there wasn’t anything specific,” she said.

“I think we should be revisiting that conversation when they come in,” Siddiqi added.

The professional affairs consultant noted that while the technology within the daily multifocal toric lens is advanced, the fitting process is straightforward.

“We have useful tools like the new online ACUVUE® Simplifit calculator² and the astigmatism flipper demonstration tool. For the calculator, all you have to do is pop in the up-to-date spectacle prescription, sensory ocular dominance and functional ADD, and the recommended trial lens is calculated, as well as any potential enhancements for near or distance. The process is so simple that we no longer even need a physical fitting guide,” Siddiqi shared.

“The calculator has lots of built in tips and for any clinicians that like more specific advice, there are also a range of fitting videos on the Johnson & Johnson website³,” she said.

Siddiqi added that having an online tool which can be accessed from any practice or location is particularly useful for locum optometrists.

“As a locum, you might be dealing with many different processes and computer systems, but when it comes to identifying which lens to order the online calculator makes that simple. There’s that consistency no matter which practice you work in,” she said.

You don’t want an extra convoluted journey, because the patient is less likely to follow through to the end

A streamlined patient journey

When asked for her tips on simplifying the patient journey, Siddiqi recommended that, where possible, locum optometrists order contact lenses for the patient so the lens can be fitted at their next appointment – even if the locum optometrist will not be involved in fitting appointment because the daily multifocal toric does not have a fitting bank, although trial lenses are still available free-of-charge.

She added that the new astigmatism demonstration tool can be useful, when used with ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day multifocal lenses, to simulate astigmatic vision correction before ordering multifocal toric trial lenses.

“In my experience, this significantly builds patient confidence and excitement, making them more engaged and positive while waiting for their trial lenses to arrive,” she said.

“With contact lenses, we want to simplify the patient journey, and we want to minimise the number of times the patient is coming in, so little things like that can really improve the patient experience and make them less likely to drop-out at the trial stage,” she said.

Siddiqi recommended, where appropriate, ordering distance or near vision enhancement options for presbyopic astigmats in advance to reduce the time between, and number of, follow up appointments if adjustments need to be made.

She noted that modern patients are often time-poor and do not expect multiple visits, so streamlining the patient journey reduces the chances that the patient will drop out of contact lenses before they have even completed a trial. She advised that communicating clearly the trial process with patients can also really help.

“You don’t want an extra convoluted journey, because the patient is less likely to follow through to the end,” Siddiqi reflected.

“Patients don’t have an endless amount of time, and neither do clinicians.”