Keeping our patients comfortable in their contact lenses can have a big impact on overall satisfaction. In this column, we will review how OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution can benefit your patients and your practice.

As we previously mentioned, 67% of lens wearers in the United States use silicone hydrogel lenses, which have been shown to reduce on-eye wettability in some cases.^1,2

OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS
OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS helps contact lenses retain moisture through its HydraGlyde® Moisture Matix technology, a unique diblock copolymer (called EOBO) that features two very unique components. One portion of the molecule binds firmly to contact lenses, while the other portion of the molecule attracts moisture. This allows the anchoring of moisture to the surface of the lens, which provides comfort from morning to night.^3-5

We are constantly on the quest for new ways to enhance the comfort of our contact lens-wearing patients. A recent study followed nearly 600 symptomatic patients who wore one of the four most commonly prescribed silicone hydrogel lenses (Acuvue Oasys* [Vistakon], AIR OPTIX®AQUA† [Alcon], Biofinity* [CooperVision] or PureVision*[Bausch + Lomb]) and utilized OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS solution.⁶ The results found a dramatically positive effect in the patients’ wearing experience. Following 30 days of lens wear utilizing OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS, these patients were able to comfortably wear their lenses for nearly two hours.

The study also found an improvement in the patients’ overall comfort. Although the study wasn’t designed to look at contact lens dropout rates, the authors said, “It is possible that an improvement in perceived comfort may help reduce the dropout rate in the population of subjects who often experience discomfort with contact lens wear.”⁶

This type of lens-wearing improvement can have a substantial effect on the patients’ daily routine and overall quality of life.

The Financial Bottom Line
Keep in mind that patients who remain in contact lenses are significantly more profitable for your practice. Over the course of six years, contact lens wearers generate 91% more revenue than patients who only wear glasses.⁷ In one simulation, a glasses-only patient generated $878 worth of revenue for the office, compared to $1,678 generated by the contact lens-wearing counterpart.⁷

Mile Brujic, O.D., and Jason Miller, O.D., M.B.A., described two practices with 1,000 contact lens patients. One practice worked hard to keep its patients wearing contact lenses, while the other watched its contact lens patient population diminish due to complacency. After six years, the difference between these two practices in accumulated revenue totaled $600,000.⁸

Therefore, we need to go above and beyond to guarantee their patients stay in contact lenses. One easy way to do so is by recommending OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS to your patients. In a 2011 survey, 94% of practitioners said they recommend a specific solution to their patient.¹

A strong solution recommendation that resonates with our patients can increase the comfortable wear experience for nearly two hours per day. Prescribing OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® MPDS will help improve your patients’ comfortable lens-wearing experience, and ultimately create happy patients and ambassadors for your practice.

Better patient outcomes produce loyal patients. Loyal patients tend to make strong recommendations to their friends and family. This can have a substantial impact on your practice’s patient load and subsequent revenue.

1. Nichols J. Contact Lenses 2011. CL Spectrum. 2012 Jan;27:20-5.
2. 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.
3. Huo Y, Perry SS, Rygalov A, et al. Chemical and frictional analysis of silicone hydrogel contact lens surfaces. Poster presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, May 2-7, 2010; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
4. David J, Kelelson HA, Shows A, Meadows DL. A lens care solution designed for wetting silicone hydrogel materials. Poster presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, May 2-7, 2010; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
5. 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.
6. 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;2012(4):13-24.
7. Weisbarth R. Superior professional and financial rewards from contact lenses. CIBA Vision. Available at: www.cibavisionacademy.ca/pdf/NewGraduateAcademy/Section_4/NGA_June_SuperiorRewards.pdf. Accessed September 2012.
8. Brujic M, Miller J. The business of contact lenses. Rev Cornea Contact Lenses. 2008 Jan/Feb;8(1):37-40.

†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.