VISTAKON TO INTRODUCE ACUVUE® OASYS™ BRAND CONTACT LENSES for PRESBYOPIA
Next generation multifocal contact lens helps contact lens wearers stay in contacts longer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 1, 2009) – VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., today announced plans to introduce ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses for PRESBYOPIA. The lens, which is the first new multifocal contact lens from the makers of ACUVUE® in 11 years, will be gradually introduced in some U.S. eye care professionals’ offices beginning this month and distribution will grow throughout 2009.
ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA combines new STEREO PRECISION TECHNOLOGY™ optics with senofilcon A, the same silicone hydrogel material of ACUVUE® OASYS™, and HYDRACLEAR® PLUS, the improved formulation of the unique HYDRACLEAR® technology that combines high performance base materials with a moisture-rich wetting agent.
“Current multifocal contact lenses have attempted to meet the needs of the entire population of presbyopes – former emmetropes, high add hyperopes and emerging/early myopes – with little success,” notes Sheila Hickson-Curran, Director, Medical Affairs, VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision care, Inc. “As a result, doctors have seen extensive contact lens drop out despite the fact that research conducted on behalf of VISTAKON® shows about nine out of ten (89%) of all wearers want to remain in contact lenses.
“However, by focusing on the millions of emerging/early myopic contact lens wearers with a high commitment to remaining in contact lenses, ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA affords practitioners an opportunity to provide contact lens wearers experiencing presbyopia a better option for continued contact lens wear. The combination of senofilcon A with STEREO PRECISION TECHNOLOGY™ results in a comfortable lens that provides excellent balanced continuous vision from distance to near in an easy-to-fit soft contact lens,” she adds. STEREO PRECISION TECHNOLOGY™ is a unique optical approach to multifocal lens design and represents the positive design aspects of ring and aspheric lens designs, while minimizing the negative aspects such as ghost images and pupil dependence. The resulting lens has a zonal aspheric front surface and an aspheric back surface, which work in combination and leverage the eyes natural depth of clear focus. This optical approach offers emerging and early presbyopes balanced vision, near, far and in between with less dependence on illumination.
ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA reduces chair time per patient by eliminating guess work for the first fit or for a follow-up adjustment if one is required. “Along with the lens we have developed a robust, clinically validated fit procedure to help doctors select the logical first lens pair and quickly determine if it is the optimal choice for the patient,” explains Hickson-Curran. “Doctors who have been working with the lens report a 74 percent fit success in one fit and follow-up visit measured by both doctor approval and patient satisfaction with lens performance. More than eight out of ten (83%) patients who were successfully fit reported ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA provides balanced near and distant vision throughout a wide range of daytime and evening activities involving varied lighting conditions.”.
At launch, ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA will be available at distance parameters of -0.50D to -9.00D in 0.25 steps and near additions of “low” and “mid” to fit patients with measured near additions of +0.75D to +1.75D. Additional parameters will be rolled out in the future.
ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA also blocks greater than 96 percent of UVA rays and 99 percent of UVB rays, meeting the highest UV-blocking standards for contact lenses.† * Although UV-blocking contact lenses provide important added protection for patients, they should not be viewed as a stand-alone solution. Contact lenses should always be worn in conjunction with high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for maximum UV protection for the eyes.
“Research suggests that the majority of contact lens wearers over age 30 are in old non-silicone hydrogel lenses,” says Hickson-Curran. “ACUVUE® OASYS™ for PRESBYOPIA offers doctors an opportunity to leverage patient commitment to staying in contact lenses well into their presbyopic years with new technology that benefits both patients and practices.”
For more information, visit www.jnjvisioncare.com.
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.
