Study Compares Fit, Visual Acuity, Comfort and Preference of ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM™ and SofLens® Toric on Asian Eyes
ATLANTA (March 5, 2009) - ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM™ (VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.) when fit on patients with an Asian eye anatomy demonstrated a high fit success rate and a high level of acceptance over SofLens® Toric (Bausch & Lomb) based on comfort, vision and corneal physiology, according to new data presented at the 2009 meeting of the Southern Council of Optometrists (SECO).
"In Japan, it is widely believed that Asian eye geometry may affect the way toric lenses interact with the eye making them difficult to fit," explains study co-author Jason R. Chin, O.D., F.A.A.O, Assistant Clinical Professor, New England College of Optometry. "The purpose of this study was to compare ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ in fit, visual acuity, comfort and preference to SofLens® Toric, a leading toric brand in Japan, when fit on the Asian eye for two weeks.
Study participants rated ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ significantly higher than SofLens® Toric for vision and comfort aspects and reported less dryness and "contact lens awareness" when wearing ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™. Researchers also observed less corneal staining with ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ than SofLens® Toric.
"Although this study was conducted amongst an Asian population the majority of the findings can apply to the entire contact lens-wearing population, regardless of ethnic background," notes Dr. Chin.
About the Study
Eighty-seven patients between the ages of 18 and 39 requiring vision correction in both eyes were analyzed for post-fit subjective responses in the multi-center, randomized, lens and sponsor masked to subject, three-product crossover, non-dispensing study, conducted at seven U.S. sites, including Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, and New York. Patients were of Japanese (55.7%), Chinese (27.3%), Korean (1.1%), Polynesian (2.3%), or mixed Asian descent (14.8%) and had to possess at least three out of four Asian eye characteristics for Palpebral Aperature, Horizontal Eyelid Fissure, Upper Lid Angle, or Lower Lid Angle to participate in the study.
Subjects were randomized to wear one brand of lens for two weeks of daily wear, followed by two weeks with the other. After each week of wear, subjects completed questionnaires regarding lens performance. After each of the two weeks of wear, lens fit was evaluated, corneal health assessed, and questionnaires completed.
Both lenses demonstrated high success rates in lens orientation/rotation and lens stability at the initial fit as well as at the two-week evaluation. A comparison of visual acuity by Snellen Line showed that both lenses provided visual acuity of 20/25 or better for a high proportion of the eyes. Both ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ and SofLens® Toric were predominantly graded as having optimal movement in tests for primary gaze, up gaze and push-up.
Subjects rated ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ significantly higher than SofLens® Toric for comfort aspects after one- and two-weeks of use. Respondents to the questionnaire preferred ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ (75%) nearly 3:1 over SofLens® Toric (22%), with the remaining three percent showing no preference. Comfort was the primary reason for preference for both lenses in the study with 92.3% of the subjects that preferred ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ and 78.9% of the subjects that preferred the SofLens® Toric citing comfort as a reason for their preference. ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ was worn on average over one hour longer comfortably than SofLens® Toric (difference of 1.15 hours on average).
Corneal staining was assessed using the NEI grading scale. Overall ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM™ had minimal impact on the corneal tissue response compared to both the habitual and SofLens® Toric.
The study was sponsored by VISTAKON®, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., marketer of ACUVUE® OASYS™.
ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are indicated for vision correction. As with any contact lens, eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop. Some wearers may experience mild irritation, itching or discomfort. Lenses should not be prescribed if patients have any eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Consult the package insert for complete information. Complete information is also available from VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., by calling 1-800-843-2020 or by visiting www.jnjvisioncare.com.
ACUVUE® OASYS™, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
