Patients Effectively Transition From Planned Replacement Lenses to Daily Disposables

Clinicians can likely refit satisfied planned replacement contact lens wearers into new generation silicone hydrogel daily disposable lenses while maintaining patient satisfaction, according to research published in Clinical Optometry. 

Researchers conducted an open-label, noncomparison study of 30 planned replacement contact lens wearers (mean age 29.1±7.8 years, 19 women). They administered a baseline assessment consisting of logMAR acuity testing while patients wore their habitual contact lenses, anterior segment evaluation, and contact lens fit. Researchers dispensed a set of habitual planned replacement lenses to patients at the conclusion of the visit. 

At 1 week follow up, investigators confirmed patients’ satisfaction with their current lenses. They refit participants with daily disposable lenses, performed logMAR testing while over-refracting, and administered the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients used the VAS to subjectively measure initial quality of vision, comfort, and satisfaction based on a 100 point scale (0=poor, 100=excellent). 

Patients returned for a third visit 2 weeks after the initial follow up. Researchers once again evaluated logMAR acuity and ocular surface health, and patients subjectively evaluated overall and end of day quality of vision, dryness, and comfort. 

Median logMAR acuities at initial follow up were -0.18, -0.16 and -0.22 compared with -0.16, -0.12, and -0.22 at the conclusion of the study for the OD, OS, and OU, respectively. Median VAS scores for initial quality of vision, comfort, and satisfaction were 92.50, 92.50, and 93.00, respectively. After 2 weeks of lens wear, participants reported median scores of 87.50, 82.50, 91.00, and 93.00 for end of day quality of vision, end of day comfort, overall quality of vision, and overall comfort, respectively. 

Investigators highlight the benefits of daily disposable lens wear with respect to reducing noncompliant cleaning and care behaviors and state “Providers should continually advocate for their patient’s ocular health, and discuss the benefits of daily disposable lenses, even with those patients who are established wearers of planned replacement lenses.”

Study limitations include a small sample size, the lack of a control group, and failure to assess other variables, such as lens cost, on overall patient satisfaction. 

Disclosure: This research was supported by Alcon, Inc. Study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or clinical research organizations. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures. 

Reference

Rutschilling R. Fogt JS. Wear experience of a water surface daily disposable contact lens in existing silicone hydrogel planned replacement lens wearers. Clin Optom. 2022;14:27-34. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S353666