Mid-water, 30-day soft contact lens debuted

Issue: January 1998

IRVINE, Calif. - CooperVision Inc. has introduced a new line of soft contact lenses for the growing 30-day planned replacement regimen. The Frequency 55, named because of its 55% water content, is manufactured in England and represents the first product from Aspect Vision Care Ltd. in Southampton, which CooperVision's parent company acquired in November 1997.

The Food and Drug Administration-approved lens is 14.2 mm in diameter and features a light blue handling tint.

"Patients have really enjoyed the improvement in comfort," said Jon K. Hayashida, OD, part-time director of clinical research for CooperVision, with a private practice in Gardena, Calif. He has dispensed the lens to approximately 30 patients since October.

"Some of my patients feel they have achieved extended wearing time and, in a few cases, less dryness," Dr. Hayashida said. Patients also appreciate the ease of insertion and removal. "The lens has a little bit more bulk, which makes it more difficult to invert," he said.

May curb dropouts

The Frequency 55 should curb contact lens dropouts, Dr. Hayashida noted. "Before, patients either had difficulty handling the lens or were not getting the expected longevity of wear during the day." On New Year's Eve, a few of the OD's patients were able to comfortably wear the new lens from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following day. Previously, "they would have had a lot of dryness after dinner," he said.

Since September, Barry T. Kissack, OD, in private practice in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., has also fitted approximately 30 patients with the Frequency 55. He likes having two brands of 30-day lenses to choose from and the option of a lens that is slightly larger (14.2 mm) than the competition. "I can fit an eye that is a little bigger," he explained. "With this lens I can go beyond the limbus."

Dr. Kissack also looks forward to the availability of a third base curve (8.4 mm) late this spring, to complement the existing 8.7- and 9.0-mm curves. "There are a few eyes in which I have needed the steeper base curve," he said.

Frequency 55 lenses (in sphere powers from +8 D to -10 D) are packaged in blister packs of three trial lenses and in six-lens dispensing packs.

Proprietary to the practice

"The policy for all our lenses is to minimize consumer advertising," said Tom Shone, director of marketing for CooperVision. "By having consumers request brand names of medical devices, it makes it difficult for some practitioners to recommend the product that is best suited for that patient." CooperVision plans to market the new lens only to practitioners.

The Frequency 55 is manufactured by Aspect Vision Care using a proprietary process called the Ultrasync molding system. "This technique yields superior edges and higher overall reproducibility," said Mr. Shone. Moreover, "the lens has been clinically proven to be easier to fit. It's also exceptionally comfortable and easy to handle."

The cost of the Frequency 55 is comparable to other 30-day lenses. Yet, "the most difficult thing for most practitioners is to try something new," Dr. Hayashida said. "Patients do not tend to say they're having problems with wearing time or comfort. Rather, they feel it is something about themselves or the environment. Therefore, I encourage doctors to be more proactive in trying some of these new products on patients. Practitioners need to become aware of the benefits of newer designs."

For Your Information:

Jon K. Hayashida, OD, can be reached at 1300 W. 155 St., Suite 104, Gardena, CA 90247; (562) 926-8024; fax: (310) 327-4505; e-mail: jhayashida@classic.msn.com. Dr. Hayashida has no direct financial interest in the products mentioned in this article. He works part-time for CooperVision.

Barry T. Kissack, OD, can be reached at Box 549, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472; (716) 624-2585; fax: (716) 624-3140; e-mail: bk1eyedoc@aol.com. Dr. Kissack has no direct financial interest in the products mentioned in this article. He is a consultant for CooperVision.

Tom Shone is director of marketing for CooperVision and can be reached there at (800) 538-7850, ext. 3250.

Frequency 55 is available from CooperVision Inc., 10 Faraday, Irvine, CA 92618; (714) 597-4700; (888) 822-2660; fax: (714) 597-0662; e-mail: info@coopervision.com; Web site: www.coopervision.com.