Disposable soft toric lens introduced

Issue: February 1998

DES PLAINES, Ill. - Wesley Jessen Corp., located here, has introduced a disposable soft toric lens. Bi-weekly replacement is recommended for the FreshLook Toric, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for daily or flexible wear.

Kenneth L. White, OD, in private practice in Mt. Vernon, Wash., was one of the clinical investigators of the
lens and has fit more than a dozen patients since October 1997. There are three features he finds particularly appealing: handling, the toric markings and rotational stability.

Regarding handling, "the lens has excellent form and body, while at the same time it is extremely comfortable," noted Dr. White. In addition, the
markings serve as an indicator for both inversion for the patient and degree of rotation for the practitioner. "The rotation markers are easy to find and easy to spot. Additionally, the lens positions itself nicely, with very little rotation," he said.

Extreme comfort

Patient feedback has been positive. "They tell me it's an extremely comfortable lens. In fact, they say they can hardly feel it," related Dr. White. This is in contrast to other toric lenses, which "tend to be a little bulkier. In those cases, patients are initially aware of the lens' edge thickness."

Cost does not appear to be a deterrent, either. "I feel it's relatively inexpensive compared to conventional fitting of a pair of toric lenses," said Dr. White. Overall, "It's a pleasure to work with a lens that achieves patient satisfaction more quickly, with great comfort and good visual acuity."

The FreshLook Toric is a wet-molded lens made from Wesley Jessen's patented 55% water phemfilcon A material. Initially, the lens will be available in three cylinder powers (-0.75 D, -1.25 D, -1.75 D) and sphere powers from plano to -4.0 D in 0.25-D steps. Packaging consists of six lenses per box.

No compromised vision

"Patients no longer have to compromise their vision by switching to the convenience, comfort and perceived vogue of a disposable lens," said P. Douglas Becherer, OD, in private practice in Belleville, Ill. "There's been a very enthusiastic response from patients. The clarity and the comfort factor is substantial to them."

Dr. Becherer, who was also a clinical investigator, noted that patients "love the marking on the lens. It is so simple to see. Looking into the bowl of the lens, the patient reads an F, a larger T and then an L. There's absolutely no confusion over correct insertion."

Dwight H. Akerman, OD, is director of professional services for Wesley Jessen. "We believe astigmatic patients should have the same eye health benefits and convenience as enjoyed by spherical patients," he said, noting that one-third of the refractive population in the United States have at least 1 D of astigmatism. "A great many of these patients would be suitable for a soft toric lens."

Following national distribution, the company plans to advertise the lens in consumer publications.

"As we proceeded with the study, we were delighted to find out that the patients' visual acuity was excellent with this particular contact lens," said Mitchell J. Fink, OD, a clinical investigator in private practice in Willingboro, N.J., who has fitted more than 30 patients. Further, "the reproducibility of the lens is very good for reliable acuity."

Replacing lenses more often is also "a way to ensure our patients' eye health in the future," he said.

For Your Information:

Kenneth L. White, OD, can be reached at 102 North 15th St., Mt. Vernon, WA 98273; (360) 424-4181; fax: (360) 424-6414; e-mail: klw@sos.net. Dr. White has no direct financial interest in the products mentioned in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.

P. Douglas Becherer, OD, can be reached at 1 Park Place Professional Centre, Belleville, IL 62226; (618) 233-3040; fax: (618) 233-3739. Dr. Becherer has no direct financial interest in the products mentioned in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.

Mitchell J. Fink, OD, can be reached at 42 Chalford Lane, Willingboro, NJ 08046; (609) 871-9666; fax: (609) 871-9669. Dr. Fink has no direct financial interest in the products mentioned in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.

Dwight H. Akerman, OD, is director of professional services for Wesley Jessen Corp., 333 East Howard Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018-5903; (847) 294-3283; fax: (847) 294-3962; e-mail: dwight.akerman@w-j.com.

The FreshLook Toric lens is available from Wesley Jessen Corp., 333 East Howard Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018-5903; (800) 348-9595; Web site: www.wesley-jessen.com.