As contact lens prescribers, we regularly encounter patients who struggle with comfortable lens wear. In fact, comfort is cited as one of the most important lens attributes that our patients seek.¹ Not only is comfort a critical component for keeping patients satisfied in their lenses, but it also plays a critical role in keeping our patients in their lenses. As we know, discomfort and dryness have repeatedly been reported as the top two reasons why patients discontinue lens wear.^2-8

OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS
There are many causes for dryness, including patient’s environment, tear film and the lenses themselves. For some patients, wearing silicone hydrogel (SiHy) lenses can reduce the symptoms of dryness. In one study, 29% of young adults wearing soft lenses, compared to only 17% wearing SiHy lenses, reported dryness symptoms.⁹

Keep in mind, though, SiHy lenses—which make up 67% of contact lenses on the market today—are not without challenges.¹⁰ While this is indeed the material of choice for our two-week and one-month wearers, the SiHy lenses have hydrophobic siloxane-containing components, which have been associated with a reduced on-eye-wettability.¹¹ Clinically, one method to address this issue is to use contact lens solutions that enhance wettability of the lens surface.

OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS is a contact lens solution that will help contact lenses retain moisture. This MPDS incorporates a specifically designed wetting agent, HydraGlyde® Moisture Matrix (EOBO) technology, a di-block copolymer. One portion of this di-block copolymer is hydrophobic and attaches to hydrophobic contact lens sites. This enables the other hydrophilic portion of the EOBO molecule to attract moisture to the surface.¹² When lenses are soaked in OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS, the EOBO will embed on the hydrophobic areas of the lens surface to create a more hydrophilic surface.^13-15 As clinicians, however, we like to see this type of evidence challenged with on eye testing.^14,15

Clinical Trial
One recent study looked at the effects of OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS on symptomatic patients wearing silicone hydrogel lenses.¹² Looking at 589 patients at 42 sites over the course of 30 days, subjects were evaluated for acceptability and comfort evaluation. Patients wore Acuvue Oasys* (Vistakon), AIR OPTIX® AQUA† (Alcon), Biofinity* (CooperVision) or PureVision* (Bausch + Lomb) lenses. At the initial visit, subjects were asked a series of questions and underwent a thorough slit lamp evaluation.

Following 30 days of use, subjects were questioned on their comfort again. The patients using OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS reported that their comfortable wear time increased nearly two hours. The authors believe that an improvement in perceived comfort may also help reduce the dropout rate in this population of patients.¹²

By targeting patients who are less than satisfied with their lens wear comfort, and specifically addressing our patients’ symptoms, we can recommend the appropriate contact lens solution for them. As seen in the aforementioned study, patients who have problems with their lens wear may be able to achieve nearly two more hours of comfortable wear time by switching to OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS.

Next month, we will look at how this study data can aid in patient satisfaction and practice growth.

1. Bergenske P, Eiden SD, Russel G, Epstein A. Experts advise caution in abandoning hydrogel lenses. CL Spectrum. 2005 Oct.
2. Young G, Veys, J, Pritchard N, Coleman S. A multi-centre study of lapsed contact lens wearers. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2002 Nov;22(6):516-27.
3. Briggs ST. Profile of contact lens failures in Saudi Arabia. Clin Exp Optom. 1996 Apr;79(6):255-9.
4. Pritchard N, Fonn D, Brazeau D. Discontinuation of contact lens wear: a survey. Int Contact Lens Clin. 1999 Nov/Dec;26(6):157-62.
5. Schlanger JL. A study of contact lens failures. J Am Optom Assoc. 1993 Mar;64(3):220-4.
6. Weed KH, Fonn D, Potvin R. Discontinuation of contact lens wear. Optom Vis Sci. 1993;70 (suppl 12):140.
7. Begley CG, Chalmers RL, Mitchell GL, et al. Characterization of ocular surface symptoms from optometric practices in North America. Cornea. 2007 Aug;20:610-8.
8. Richdale K, Sinnott LT, Skadahl E, Nichols JJ. Frequency of and factors associated with contact lens dissatisfaction and discontinuation. Cornea. 2007 Feb;26(2):168-74.
9. Chalmers RL, Hunt C, Hickson-Curran S, Young G. Struggle with hydrogel CL wear increases with age in young adults. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2009 Jun;32(3):113-9.
10. Nichols J. Contact Lenses 2011. CL Spectrum. 2012 Jan.
11. Maldonado-Codina C, Morgan PB. In vitro water wettability of silicone hydrogel contact lenses determined using the sessile drop and captive bubble techniques. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2007 Nov;83(2):496-502.
12. Corbin GS, Kading, DL, Powell SM, et al. Clinical evaluation of a new multi-purpose disinfecting solution in symptomatic wearers of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Clinical Optometry. 2012 Jul:4:13-24.
13. Huo Y, Perry SS, Rygalov A, et al. Chemical and frictional analysis of silicone hydrogel contact lens surfaces. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51:ARVO E-abstract 3422.
14. David J, Kelelson HA, Shows A, Meadows DL. A lens care solution designed for wetting silicone hydrogel materials. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51:ARVO e-abstract 3417.
15. Campbell R, Kame G, Leach N, et al. Clinical benefits of a new multipurpose disinfecting solution in silicone hydrogel and soft contact lens users. Eye Contact Lens. 2012 Mar:38(2);93-101.

*Trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
†AIR OPTIX® AQUA (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses: High oxygen transmissible lenses. Dk/t = 138 @ -3.00D.
Important information for AIR OPTIX® AQUA (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear or extended wear up to 6 nights for near/far-sightedness. Risk of serious eye problems (i.e., corneal ulcer) is greater for extended wear. In rare cases,loss of vision may result. Side effects like discomfort, mild burning or stinging may occur.
See product instructions for complete wear, care, and safety information.