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B + L receives FDA clearance for daily disposable contacts
CHICAGO – Bausch + Lomb announced here at Optometry’s Meeting that its Biotrue ONEday contact lenses have received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Biotrue ONEday are daily disposable contact lenses made from HyperGel, which is 78% water, the same as the cornea, and has a Dk/t of 42, Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, B+L’s director of Medical Affairs – North America, Vision Care, told Primary Care Optometry News. He said the lenses are “bioinspired.”
“Historically, high-water lenses dehydrated,” Dr. Merchea said. “This lens allows the eye to receive enough oxygen without silicone.”
He said the lens has no surface treatment; the “bioinspiration” is part of the contact lens material.
Biotrue contact lenses are made of nesofilcon A, which helps retain moisture and lens shape, even after 16 hours of wear, without the need for silicone, according to a company press release. The lenses also protect eyes against UV-A and UV-B rays.
Dr. Merchea told PCON that B+L chose to develop this lens for the daily disposable market because “it is the fastest growing segment.”
Michael Kane, director of contact lens marketing, added that the daily disposable market is growing 15% per year in new patient fits, but the category is still underdeveloped.
“We saw a business opportunity in addition to a design that benefits patients,” he said.
Mr. Kane said the company will start shipping fitting sets in mid-July in waves. Full distribution is planned by the end of 2013.