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B+L introduces Ultra contacts for presbyopia
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ATLANTA – Bausch + Lomb announced the March release of its Ultra for Presbyopia contact lenses during a press conference here at SECO.
The monthly replacement silicone hydrogel lens uses the company’s MoistureSeal technology for comfort and the 3-Zone Progressive design found in BioTrue OneDay for Presbyopia daily disposable contact lenses, according a company press release.
The 3-Zone Progressive design of Ultra for Presbyopia (samfilcon A) allows eye care providers to achieve an easy, predictable fit, the company said, and its simplified fitting guide helps streamline the multifocal fitting process.
“Ultra for Presbyopia brings together two innovations,” William Reindel, OD, Bausch + Lomb director of medical device clinical operations and medical affairs – global, said at the press conference. “We studied the limitations of materials and optical designs of earlier lenses.”
MoistureSeal technology is two-phase polymerization, Reindel said.
“The first phase builds the backbone with proprietary silicones, and the second phase is to wrap that silicone with a highly hydrophilic polyvinylpyrrolidone molecule,” he said.
Patients wearing a variety of lenses were placed in an environmentally controlled chamber with reduced humidity, and these lenses retained 95% of their moisture, Reindel said.
To make the 3-Zone Progressive design, the company looked at subjective refraction, higher-order aberrations, pupil size, residual accommodation, corneal topography/diameter, anterior chamber depth and axial length.
Reindel said the lens provides consistent add power across the entire power range, and the lens’ three distinct zones provide consistent power for near, intermediate and distance objects.
According to company research, 96% of patients had clear vision at the computer, 96% had clear vision on their cell phone, and 93% had clear vision driving during the day, he said. Eighty percent of eye care providers said they fit patients successfully on the first visit, and 92% agreed that the fitting guide made it easy.
Mark McKenna, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb, said at the press conference, “We think the combination of material and design will decrease dropouts. We look forward to growing the category.”
He said the company plans to bring out 13 new products over the next 3 years. – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO, and Abigail Sutton
Disclosures: McKenna and Reindel are employed by Bausch + Lomb.