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Korb’s work altered course of contact lens industry
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As part of Primary Care Optometry News’ 20th anniversary celebration, we continue to highlight the accomplishments of optometry’s modern day pioneers. For me, each installation serves as both a reaffirmation of our recipient’s tremendous contributions as well as a bit of a trip down memory lane. This month we celebrate the many achievements of Dr. Donald Korb, including that of the development of the CSI contact lens (see “Korb: Pioneer of clinical optometry research”).
Having practiced in the pre-disposable contact lens era, I remember all too well the trials and tribulations. Patients would leave their annual examination with a much-coveted single pair of contact lenses. Over the ensuing year they would often perform heroic acts of daily lens hygiene – some involving as many as three different products. Unfortunately, for as many as half of the contact lens-wearing population, it just was not enough. Inevitably, conditions such as giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) would ultimately bring their contact lens wearing days to a halt.
It was Dr. Korb, in conjunction with the research team at Syntex Ophthalmics, who created a much-needed solution in the form of the CSI lens. A thin ‘membrane’ lens made of a low water, nonionic material, the CSI lens provided salvation to thousands of patients ... and practitioners alike. Simply put, the combination of crofilcon A and a great edge design stopped GPC in its tracks.
Perhaps the most important aspect of Dr. Korb’s CSI development was that it came at a time when most of optometry had limited or no access to therapeutics – no corticosteroids, no mast-cell stabilizers, no antihistamines. In retrospect, without the CSI lens, GPC might very well have altered the contact lens industry’s course.
Michael D. DePaolis
While the CSI lens was a huge advancement, it was nonetheless, a bridge technology. Fortunately, the emergence of disposable contact lens technology has enabled us to effectively manage GPC and as well as many other clinical conditions. While considerable debate remains on just what defines the optimal replacement frequency, the consensus is in. For conditions such as GPC, more frequent replacement is better ... and daily replacement is best.
Historically, the rap against daily disposables has been twofold: too expensive and parameters that are too limited. That has all changed. We now have a plethora of products covering a wide spectrum of refractive errors, astigmatism and presbyopia included. We also have a portfolio of diverse polymers addressing many ocular health needs, ranging from high metabolic needs to dry eye. And perhaps equally importantly, these options exist at a reasonable cost. Certainly, daily disposable contact lenses cost less than what many consumers pay daily for their smart phone, cable television service or mocha frappuccino ... none of which do very much for GPC.
In this month’s issue of Primary Care Optometry News, I encourage you to read our feature story, “Market for daily disposable contact lenses increases.” I am sure you will find it a compelling read as well as sound clinical rationale for embracing daily disposables for GPC and so much more.