Product of the Year
Dailies Total1 Multifocal by Alcon, has won Product of the Year 2017
Winner: Dailies Total1 Multifocal from Alcon
Alcon Dailies brand manager, Ophelie Camile, on the daily disposable multifocal soft contact lens that is ideal for patients with presbyopia
Dailies Total1 Multifocal is a daily disposable multifocal soft contact lens that is ideal for patients with presbyopia who are looking for the ultimate multifocal lens experience
Explaining what differentiates the contact lens, which was launched in September last year, from others on the market, Alcon Dailies brand manager, Ophelie Camile, says: “Wearers over the age of 40 want to continue wearing contact lenses, but require more comfort and seamless vision as they develop presbyopia. Dailies Total1’s patented Water Gradient material, combined with its Precision Profile multifocal design, offers a comfortable, younger-looking alternative to reading glasses.”
It is the only Water Gradient contact lens for presbyopes on the market, Ms Camile says, adding that: “The Water Gradient provides both higher oxygen transmissibility and higher surface water content than other multifocal contact lenses.”
Speaking about winning the award, Ms Camile, told OT: “We are immensely proud of Dailies Total1 and, now, Dailies Total1 Multifocal. Of course, it is a huge honour to win and to be able to share this accolade with Alcon associates worldwide, who have worked tirelessly to bring the product to market.
“By winning we hope that Alcon can play its part in driving the whole multifocal category forward in the UK; raising levels of eye care, practitioner's confidence and helping to raise awareness of this great presbyopic vision correction option amongst potential patients.”
Runners up
- DriveSafe Lenses, Carl Zeiss Vision
- Ocular Response Analyzer G3, Reichert Technologies and Grafton Optical
- BlephEx, Scope Ophthalmics
- Clinical Eye Tracker, Thomson Software Solutions
- Triton OCT, Topcon
Finalist: DriveSafe Lenses, Carl Zeiss Vision
Carl Zeiss Vision’s professional services manager, Dr Debbie Laughton, on why DriveSafe Lenses offer an everyday lens solution for driving
What are DriveSafe Lenses?
Zeiss DriveSafe Lenses are the first everyday lens solution for driving that have been specifically designed to meet the visual needs of people who want to feel safer and more comfortable when driving.
What differentiates DriveSafe Lenses from other alternatives in the market?
Alternative spectacle lens options designed for driving have a solid tint or are photochromic with a residual tint. Therefore, these alternative options are for daytime driving only and are not recommended for driving at night. Zeiss DriveSafe single vision and progressive lenses are the only spectacle lens solution for drivers that can be worn in all conditions, including driving at night.
“Zeiss DriveSafe single vision and progressive lenses are the only spectacle lens solution for drivers that can be worn in all conditions”
How has the product had a positive impact on clinical practice?
Zeiss DriveSafe Lenses resolve the most common visual challenges experienced by patients who drive, which include poor visibility in low light conditions, glare from oncoming vehicle headlights, and difficulty switching focus between the road, dashboard and mirrors.
Therefore, Zeiss DriveSafe Lenses are the first everyday spectacle lens solution that optometrists, dispensing opticians and dispensing assistants can recommend to their pre-presbyopic and presbyopic patients to help them feel safer and more comfortable when driving.
How does it feel to be shortlisted for this award?
We feel incredibly proud to be shortlisted for the prestigious AOP Awards and are excited Zeiss DriveSafe Lenses are in the running for the new category of ‘Product of the Year.’
Finalist: Ocular Response Analyzer G3, Reichert Technologies and Grafton Optical
Reichert Technologies senior product manager, David Taylor, on the individuality of this device
What is the Ocular Response Analyzer G3?
The Ocular Response Analyzer G3 is the only device that measures corneal hysteresis (CH), which has been shown to be a superior predictor of glaucoma progression.
In addition to CH, the Ocular Response Analyzer G3 provides corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc), which is a better indication of the true pressure and proven to be less influenced by corneal properties than, for example, the Goldmann and other methods of tonometry.
“We've worked very hard with the thought-leaders of ophthalmology and optometry around the world to develop this device and to ensure that the information it provides is clinically relevant and valuable”
How has the product had a positive impact on clinical practice?
Despite improvements in treatment options for glaucoma, the condition remains a leading cause of blindness with no cure. Diagnosing and predicting glaucoma progression is challenging due to its wide variety of risk factors, which all have relatively low specificity. As such, it is essential that we consider glaucoma to be a multi-factorial disease with numerous risk factors that should be taken into account.
The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) put central corneal thickness (CCT) on the map due to the surprise finding that CCT was independently and strongly related to glaucoma risk. This was the first time that a corneal parameter was shown to be related to the development of glaucoma. Now, we have ample evidence that CH, which this device performs, is even more important than CCT in the assessment of glaucoma risk.
Since CH has been shown to be more predictive of future visual field progression than other factors, including this parameter in the assessment of glaucoma risk, it will improve glaucoma decision-making and facilitate earlier intervention to improve visual outcomes.
How does it feel to be shortlisted for this award?
It is an honour. We've worked very hard with the thought leaders of ophthalmology and optometry around the world to develop this device and to ensure that the information it provides is clinically relevant and valuable. Making the shortlist confirms that our efforts have been worthwhile.
Finalist: BlephEx, Scope Ophthalmics
Scope Ophthalmics’ product manager, Liadain Murphy, on the blepharitis banishing benefits of BlephEx
What is BlephEx?
BlephEx is a handheld, microblepharo exfoliation (MBE) device, with a high-speed/high-torque rotating PVA sponge.
Its spinning tip is first soaked and softened in lid cleaning solution, such as Ocusoft Plus foam, before it is then used to mechanically debride the lid margins and remove the crusts, debris and cylindrical dandruff present.
“BlephEx is the only device of its kind. If offers clinicians a method by which to differentiate their practice by providing blepharitis sufferers with immediate relief and results”
The unit has a cut-off that stops the head movement if too great a pressure is applied. By eliminating the inflammatory aetiology of blepharitis, the overall health of the eyelid is improved.
How has the product had a positive impact on clinical practice?
BlephEx is the only device of its kind. It offers clinicians a way to differentiate their practice by providing blepharitis sufferers with immediate relief and results. It can be used as part of a management plan, with severe cases of blepharitis being treated every one to three months initially.
In a recent study, nearly 50% of people had blepharitis present.
It’s important to understand that blepharitis means lid inflammation, not just crusting and scurf of the lashes. Significant inflammatory blepharitis may be present even without the presence of the debris along the lash line. The invisible bio-film along the lid margin is what harbours the bacteria and exotoxins and is the primary source of inflammation.
Eye specialists need to be able to break the vicious cycle of blepharitis by completely removing the inflammatory exotoxin-laden biofilm. The surface layer may also house demodex, which is increasingly thought to contribute significantly to blepharitis.
BlephEx works to remove this bio-film from the lid margin, providing clinicians with a method by which to provide sufferers with immediate relief and results greatly improving patient’s quality of life for a cause that otherwise requires a lot of daily compliance to manage.
How does it feel to be shortlisted for this award?
It feels fantastic. Since 2008, we have been bringing dedicated, innovative and pioneering products to the ophthalmics space. It’s very rewarding to be identified by the AOP as having successfully contributed to the treatment and management of ocular surface disease especially since the introduction of BlephEx to the UK market. We are excited to attend the prestigious awards ceremony at 100% Optical in February.
Finalist: Clinical Eye Tracker, Thomson Software Solutions
Managing director of the software company, Professor David Thomson, on the opportunities that the Clinical Eye Tracker brings to clinicians
What is the Clinical Eye Tracker?
The Clinical Eye Tracker system provides accurate measurements of the position of the two eyes, providing clinicians with a powerful new tool for diagnosing and managing binocular vision anomalies, various neurological conditions and reading difficulties.
The system is completely non-invasive, requires minimal setup and calibration, and is very intuitive to use.
“It is great that a small British company can compete with the multi-million pound research and development budgets of the big players”
The Clinical Eye Tracker uses a small detector bar, which is attached to the lower bezel of a standard computer monitor. The detector bar illuminates the eyes with infrared light and captures a ‘red eye’ image of each eye.
The software then calculates the exact position of each eye relative to the test stimulus and displays a recording of the precise fixation scan path throughout the recording, allowing any anomalies of eye movements or binocular co ordination to be readily identified and quantified.
How has the product had a positive impact on clinical practice?
While the last decade has witnessed unprecedented advances in technology for imaging the eye and assessing refractive error, the assessment of eye movements and binocular vision has been largely bypassed by technological innovation, and clinicians still rely on tests such as the cover test, motility test and subjective assessments to diagnose and manage binocular vision anomalies. The Clinical Eye Tracker is set to change this by providing a powerful, easy-to-use and affordable solution.
It is hoped that the introduction of the Clinical Eye Tracker provides a tool that will facilitate the diagnosis and management of a wide range of binocular vision, neurological and reading-related conditions.
How does it feel to be shortlisted for this award?
We are delighted. We believe that the Clinical Eye Tracker represents a breakthrough in terms of providing clinicians with a powerful, easy to use and very affordable new tool for assessing eye movements and binocular vision. It is great that a small British company can compete with the multi-million pound research and development budgets of the big players.
Finalist: Triton OCT, Topcon
Topcon MD, Andy Yorke, on why its Triton is taking OCT to a new level
What is the Triton OCT?
Topcon introduced the DRi Triton swept-source OCT 18 months ago – it was the first of a new generation of OCTs using swept-source technology for both anterior and posterior segment imaging.
The Triton has a number of unique features such as its speed of capture – 100,000 A-Scans per second – which provides unrivalled penetration of the posterior structures of the eye, including the choroid. In addition, its long wavelength of 1050nm gives it the ability to penetrate blood and dense cataract – an important capability in all optometry and ophthalmology clinics.
These features enable the Triton to deliver diagnostic features not seen before, and take OCT to a new level. With the additional introduction of the first commercially available swept-source OCT with OCT angiography, the Triton is truly breaking new ground through its enhanced diagnostic features.
“With the additional introduction of the first commercially available swept-source OCT with OCT angiography, the Triton is truly breaking new ground through its enhanced diagnostic features”
How has the product had a positive impact on clinical practice?
The Triton is the only commercially available swept-source OCT and provides the only swept-source OCT angiography, allowing visualisation of the choroidal vessels in addition to those of the retina.
Swept-source OCT angiography is ground-breaking and provides massive clinical benefits coupled with major reductions in cost to the NHS, as well as significantly reducing risk for patients as the injection of fluorescein is no longer needed.
How does it feel to be shortlisted for this award?
Topcon are delighted to be shortlisted for this award and it is extremely gratifying to be recognised in this way.