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SofLens Daily Disposable Lenses
with High Definition Optics

ROCHESTER, N.Y., December 2008 — Bausch & Lomb recently introduced its new soft contact lens designed for single-use daily wear: SofLens Daily Disposable lenses.

According to the company, SofLens Daily Disposable lenses are the first one-day disposable contact lenses with High Definition (HD) Optics — a technology that reduces blur, halos and glare across a range of conditions, especially in low-light situations such as driving at night. The basis of HD Optics is a special aspheric design that reduces spherical aberration.

SofLens Daily Disposable lenses also feature ComfortMoist Technology for increased wearing comfort. ComfortMoist Technology combines an exceptionally thin lens design with a slow-release packaging solution that creates a long-lasting cushion of moisture around the lens for all-day comfort, says the company.

The lenses are made of hilafilcon B hydrogel (soft lens) material and have a water content of 59 percent. They are available in powers from +6.50D to –9.00D.

SofLens Daily Disposable lenses replace Bausch & Lomb SofLens One Day lenses, which were discontinued in May 2008.

Biofinity Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses
Approved for Extended Wear

FAIRPORT, N.Y., December 2008 — Biofinity silicone hydrogel contact lenses have been approved by the FDA for up to six nights and seven days of extended wear. The approval applies to all Biofinity monthly replacement lenses currently available to U.S. wearers.

Designed with Aquaform technology, Biofinity monthly replacement lenses are made with a unique, naturally wettable lens material that offers high water content, high oxygen transmissibility and exceptional comfort, according to manufacturer CooperVision.

"Aquaform technology creates a naturally wettable lens material without the need for wetting agents or surface treatments," says James Gardner, CooperVision's director of marketing. "With a high Dk/t of 160 and the FDA clearance for extended wear, practitioners can now offer a very high-oxygen silicone hydrogel lens which is almost 50 percent softer than the highest Dk silicone hydrogel lens currently available."

Biofinity lenses also feature an aspheric front surface design to minimize spherical aberrations and improve visual clarity, says the company.

The lenses are manufactured with a third-generation silicone hydrogel material, comfilcon A, and are available in a prescription power range of +8.00D to -12.00D.

Bausch & Lomb Offers Crystal Contact Lens Case
To Benefit Breast Cancer Research

ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 2008 — Participants in a Bausch & Lomb online giveaway contest could win one of 40 limited edition crystal contact lens cases designed to benefit breast cancer research.

The contest involves visiting the company's ReNuCares Web site and downloading a coupon redeemable at a retail outlet for a free bottle of ReNu MultiPlus contact lens solution. No purchase is necessary.

All participants who download the coupon will have a chance to win a $350, pink contact lens case covered with 646 crystal components, all applied by hand. The design also includes a familiar pink ribbon associated with breast cancer research.

Bausch & Lomb officials say they will donate $1 per redeemed coupon to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure efforts to find treatments for breast cancer.

The contest ends Oct. 31, and winners of the drawing will be notified Nov. 15.

Contact Lenses and Dry Eye

COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 2008 — Ohio State University researchers have ruled out contact lens solutions as a possible underlying cause of dry eye that may occur among contact lens wearers.

In an analysis of 360 contact lens wearers involved in a major Contact Lens and Dry Eye Study, researchers identified several factors that appear associated with development of dry eye. Factors contributing to dry eye included high water content in contact lens materials and individual problems such as greater eye discomfort even when contact lenses are not worn.

People wearing contact lenses also were likely to have dry eye when they reported inability to wear contact lenses for desired time periods and complained of dissatisfaction with contact lenses in general.

Study results, reported in the August issue of Optometry & Vision Science, also indicate that common treatments to alleviate dry eye among contact lens wearers do not appear particularly effective.

New Moisturizing Agent Studied for Infusion Into Contact Lenses

HAMILTON, Ontario, July 2008 — Using hyaluronic acid as a natural moisturizing agent in contact lenses may help prevent dry eye and related discomfort, according to Canadian researchers at McMaster University.

Chemical engineering investigators have announced their discovery that hyaluronic acid, a fluid commonly found in the human body, can be contained within contact lens materials without adversely affecting optical properties.

Research recently reported in the journal, Biomaterials, also found that hyaluronic acid helps prevent build-up of proteins that can cause clouding of contact lenses.

While not yet found infused into contact lenses, hyaluronic acid already is used as a lubricating agent in contact lens solutions. It also is used to treat dry eyes and is found in gel-like substances (viscoelastic) to help protect the eye and aid procedures such as cataract surgery.

Air Optix Contact Lenses Contain Moisturizing Agents

DULUTH, Ga., July 2008 — CIBA Vision has introduced two new Air Optix contact lenses containing moisturizing agents: Aqua and Dailies AquaComfort Plus, both made of silicone hydrogel.

New Air Optix Aqua contact lenses, which should be replaced monthly, can be worn daily or for extended wear of up to six nights.

The company says these lenses contain patented materials that help minimize lens dehydration, helping to maintain moisture for better eye comfort.

Dailies AquaComfort Plus lenses have been available in countries such as Great Britain and recently were introduced in the United States. These daily disposable lenses contain three different lubricants for comfort, including a wetting agent activated by blinking. Please click here for closeup photos of the new Air Optix products.

FDA Considers Stricter Safety Guidelines for Contact Lenses

WASHINGTON, June 2008 — After hearing testimony about ways to prevent potentially blinding eye infections associated with contact lens use, FDA officials are considering additional safety requirements such as stricter labeling governing use of contact lens solution products.

Ophthalmic organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also recommended that FDA approvals of contact lens solutions be based on specific testing for effectiveness against infections related to microbial organisms including Acanthamoeba (one-celled animals) and Fusariam fungus.

Both Acanthamoeba and Fusarium have been associated with high profile outbreaks of eye infections among contact lens wearers who used disinfecting contact lens solutions that proved to be ineffective. Eye infections also can be related to failure of contact lens wearers to follow safety guidelines such as proper hygiene in the handling of contact lenses and cases.

Suggested new guidelines for contact lens solutions would require that all contact lenses be both rubbed and then rinsed for thorough cleaning, despite labeling on some current products that claim rubbing is not required.

Avaira Two-Week Replacement Lenses Designed for
More Comfort and Oxygen Transmission

FAIRPORT, N.Y., May 2008 — CooperVision has introduced new Avaira two-week replacement contact lenses made of a silicone hydrogel material known for its ability to transmit oxygen to the eye's surface (cornea).

According to the company, exclusive Aquaform technology enables more lens softness and comfortable moisturizing without the need for additional wetting agents or additives; and the material used in the Avaira contact lens is 30 percent softer than that of comparable two-week silicone hydrogel lenses.

The lens fit also is enhanced by an optimized back surface design and rounded edges.

Air Optix for Astigmatism Now Available

DULUTH, Ga., April 2008 — A wide optic zone providing a fuller range of vision distinguishes CIBA Vision's new Air Optix for Astigmatism contact lens launched this spring.

Company officials say the new silicone hydrogel lens is noted for stability and performance, with a 95 percent success rate in first-time fittings for people with astigmatism.

Because the thickest points of the contact lens are located away from the lower eyelid, the lens creates minimal friction during blinking, to increase comfort levels.

CIBA Vision also announced plans to market various types of future silicone hydrogel contact lenses under the brand name of Air Optix. A monthly replacement schedule is recommended for Air Optix brand contact lenses. Please click here for a closeup photo of Air Optix for Astigmatism.

Fungal Eye Infections To Be Studied Under NEI Grant

CLEVELAND, March 2008 — A $2.4 million study funded by the National Eye Institute should shed more light on rare fungal eye infections that sometimes affect contact lens wearers.

Researchers from University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine will investigate the body's immune responses to fungi, including the Fusarium type that caused an outbreak of eye infections in 2005-2006.

The fungal eye infection outbreak was related to ineffectiveness of a specific disinfecting contact lens solution — Bausch & Lomb's ReNu With MoistureLoc, which was taken off the marketplace.

"Fusarium solani was already well known as an important cause of eye infections in warm, humid areas of the U.S., and in southern and southeastern Asia, where this fungus can be picked up from the digging of dirt in agricultural work," said study leader Eric Pearlman, PhD.

Special Contact Lenses With Electronic Connections
Allow "Superhuman" Vision

Left: A researcher holds a completed prototype contact lens. Right: Prototype contact lenses offering enhanced vision were found to be biologically compatible in rabbit eyes. Photos: University of Washington.

SEATTLE, January 2008 — Researchers say "superhuman" vision could be achieved through contact lenses equipped with electronic connections, which also eventually might be used in corrective lenses for people with low vision.

Based on results from early experiments, University of Washington investigators say a type of bionic eye could provide enhancements such as telescopic features or virtual displays for various types of uses.

Prototype contact lenses under development by researchers are biologically compatible in rabbit eyes.

What's New in Contact lenses continued...

[Page updated December 2009]