Did you know that fitting practices are changing as contact lens materials and manufacturing methods change? Actually, this has been happening since 1971 but at a faster pace since the advent of the first disposable contact lenses launched by Johnson & Johnson back in 1990. Since then manufacturers have been improving lens materials to make them more comfortable for all-day wear, more resistant to surface deposits, significantly more oxygen transmissible, easier and more stable to mould at high volumes, and cost efficient for both the manufacturer and wearer.
Eye doctors have always been concerned with wearer compliance. Are there any clinical signs of frequent prolonged wear? Will the wearer keep their lens case clean? Will they rinse their lenses before storing them in fresh multipurpose solution so that surface debris may be washed off prior to storage? Will the wearer replace their lenses for a fresh pair at the interval recommended by the eye doctor? All of these are relevant questions that contact lens fitters will ask anywhere in the world. Daily disposable lenses resolve many of these issues, most especially when speaking of younger lens wearers. In fact, recent third party market data shared by Alcon®, a leader in contact lens manufacturing, supports the fact that eye doctors are recommending daily disposables more.
Since 2008 the daily disposable lens growth in the market by dollar was almost five times as fast as all other lens modalities (types of fits). Monthly disposables experienced modest growth in comparison but two week disposables declined during the same period. This data speaks to the fact that eye doctors appear to have accepted the tremendous compliance benefits that daily disposables deliver to wearers. It also speaks to the growing number of younger wearers coming into the market and how daily disposable lenses help them maintain excellent eye health by eliminating some of the handling and storage factors previously considered problematic for them. Monthly disposable lenses continue to enjoy a strong presence in the market. New lens materials have continued to support this lens modality with very oxygen transmissible materials that are extremely comfortable and easy to maintain.
Only your eye doctor can select the right contact lens and modality for you. Ask him/her about recent products and how they may be good for you. Contact Lenses are considered medical devices for which a prescription is required. Please refer to your eye care provider for more information.
