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Alcon expands designs, parameters, of daily, monthly contacts
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ANAHEIM, Calif. – “We are excited to launch one of our latest innovations in contact lenses, a monthly lens that provides long-lasting lens surface hydration. We believe it will create a wave in the industry in terms of raising the bar [for] monthly lenses,” Richard E. Weisbarth, OD, FAAO, vice president of professional affairs and general manager of U.S. Vision Care at Alcon, said at a company-sponsored press conference during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry.
The monthly replacement contact lens, Air Optix plus HydraGlyde, is a good option for those who benefit from color contact lens wear, overnight wear and toric and multifocal corrections, he said.
Only 25% of those who cannot see properly in the U.S. wear contact lenses, according to Eric Bruno, vice president and general manager, Alcon U.S. Vision Care.
“As an industry we are doing a good job at bringing in 4 million new wearers every year, but 4 million people are also dropping out every year. This is where we are really laser-focused: To make the market a healthier one for everyone,” Bruno said.
Those wearing daily disposables make up 17% of the contact lens market in the U.S., he said. In other nations, like many in Europe and Russia, more patients are in daily disposables, he said.
Most doctors say they would love to see their patients in more daily lenses, Bruno added.
“Most patients say they are willing to do what their doctor recommends. Then why aren’t we seeing more patients in daily lenses?” he asked.
“Even with the launch of AirOptix, which we believe is the best reusable lens on the market, with that launch, our top priority will not change, from getting this 17% higher,” Bruno continued. “We believe it’s an injustice to not have more patients in daily disposables. We will win, our doctors will win, and, most importantly, patients will win.”
Alcon Dailies AquaComfort Plus contact lenses will feature U.S.-only packaging with patient education information and instructions in the second quarter of 2017. It will feature illustrated instructions on how to insert and remove the lens, along with a phone number and email address for those having issues to get help, Weisbarth explained.
The company also announced the expansion of its Dailies Total1 Multifocal parameters, with immediate availability. Powers will range from +6.00 D to -10.00 D, in three add powers, for a
total of 195 parameters to fit a wide range of patients’ needs.
Alcon is working to increase patient access through the Alcon Dailies Choice Program, which launched in August.
“We know that 80% of patients would be open to a daily lens, if their prescriber recommended one,” Weisbarth said. “After 20 years of banging our heads against the wall, we decided to take a different approach.”
Since introducing the program, Weisbarth reported 80,000 downloads of the program. For those that have participated, 85% purchase an annual supply, he said.
“While other manufacturers offer a rebate program, we have created a full program that is 360 degrees, educating the patient/consumer, as well as providing practitioners with materials to complete the circle. We provide those materials to connect the dots.” – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Bruno is vice president and general manager of U.S. Vision Care. Weisbarth is vice president of professional affairs and general manager of U.S. Vision Care at Alcon.