Vistakon introduces Acuvue Advance

DALLAS – During a press conference here at the American Academy of Optometry meeting, Vistakon introduced Acuvue Advance with Hydraclear, a soft daily-wear lens made of galyfilcon A. The lens is 47% water with a recommended 2-week replacement schedule.

According to Todd Krombholz, senior product director for Vistakon, “Hydraclear is an internal wetting agent that allows the lens to maintain its moisture from the inside out.”

Cristina Schnider, OD, MSc, FAAO, project manager for Vistakon Research and Development, added: “Hydraclear allows us to increase the oxygen to over three times what we’ve experienced in the past.”

Mr. Krombholz told the audience, “We thought initially this would be our 30-day lens.” But most patients are going into daily wear; extended wear hasn’t grown at all, he said.

“Right now we’re delivering the highest potential to the majority,” he said. According to a company press release, “The company continues to explore the option of entering the extended-wear market.”

Several practitioners were on hand at the press conference to share their experience with the lens. Mary Jo Stiegemeier, OD, said she’s fitted several dozen patients with Acuvue Advance, and 100% of them are happy with it.

Kim Castleberry, OD, was involved in the 510(k) clinical trials. He said he started with a dozen patients and now is fitting it on all of his contact lens patients who meet the parameters. “It’s changed my practice and changed my patients’ lives,” he said.

According to a company press release, Acuvue Advance will be available nationwide in February 2004.

The company also announced the appointment of J. Patrick Cummings, OD, FAAO, as the new vice president of professional affairs. Dr. Cummings, immediate past president of the American Optometric Association, will replace Stan Yamane, OD, FAAO, who will retire on April 30, 2004.