Two boosts for independents

Alcon has made two major launches for independents in the UK and Ireland – its new Air Optix plus HydraGlyde contact lenses and enhancements to its ‘easy’ online ordering system.

The new contact lenses are the latest addition to the Air Optix portfolio of monthly replacement, silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

HydraGlyde has been added to Air Optix contact lenses to deliver longer-lasting surface wettability, keeping the contact lenses continuously hydrated throughout the day, which helps to improve patients’ wearing experience.

HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix is Alcon’s proprietary moisture technology that is currently featured in its premium contact lens care solutions, Opti-free PureMoist and AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde.

The moisture technology is designed to attract and retain moisture on soft contact lenses, and is specially designed for silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Head of research and development for Alcon’s Vision Care franchise, George Yao, said: “We know from patients that discomfort and dryness represent the main cause of dropout for contact lens wearers. HydraGlyde Technology promotes a unique hydrophilic barrier that helps lower friction to provide longer-lasting moisture.”

Additionally, Air Optix contact lenses are designed with SmartShield Technology to maintain wettability and resist lipid deposits throughout the full wearing cycle.

The new contact lenses are available in expanded parameters to meet the clinical requirements of more patients: +6.00D to -10.00D in 0.25D steps, plus -10.50D to -12.00D and +6.50D to +8.00D in 0.50D steps.=

The enhancements to Alcon’s ‘easy’ online ordering system means that customers no longer have to telephone the company’s customer services team to make changes to their patients’ data.

Among the changes, practitioners can now register new patients for automatic repeat auto-shipments, as well as arrange ad hoc orders.

Practitioners can also amend the details of their existing patients and can download customisable patient lists.

A new user guide has been produced by the company containing helpful hints and tips, as well as instructions to navigate both the new and existing ‘easy’ online functionalities.

For more information, visit the Alcon website.