The solution to contact lens comfort is solutions ~ Cleadew

The solution to contact lens comfort is solutions

The impact of solutions on contact lens comfort was emphasised by the renowned Professor Lyndon Jones at two CPD events to launch Cleadew advanced contact lens care products, featuring the superior disinfection of Povidone-iodine and exclusively available from Positive Impact (PI).

The range, manufactured by Ophtecs in Japan, includes multipurpose solutions and has products for soft, gas permeable and scleral contact lenses.

Professor Jones, director of the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE), challenged the 60 plus independents at both events to question what they did in practice, highlighting that most contact lens care systems had been developed before silicone hydrogels which, surprisingly for many, he said are now 25 years old.

Explaining the complex chemistry of contact lens solutions, he said that there had not been much innovation in the field because it was so hard to achieve, with solutions having to have proven disinfection and removal of deposits, be nontoxic, compatible with all materials, simple, quick and inexpensive to use.

He urged practitioners to consider the most important properties when considering stocking or recommending contact lens solutions, whether they had disinfection efficacy, were preservative-free, their cleaning performance and whether they improved comfort and wearing times.

He reminded practitioners two contact lens solutions had been previously withdrawn globally due to two cases of acanthamoeba keratitis because of acanthamoeba in the water. He highlighted that there had been cases of microbial keratitis from contact lens cases and illustrated how bugs secrete a biofilm into the case which is transferred onto fingers and into the eye.

Professor Jones highlighted that Povidone-iodine is used in the hospital system before surgery but needs neutralising and Cleadew features a colour change to boost patient compliance. He added that, as Cleadew was an oxidative product, it was ‘incredibly efficacious’ and was the only product that ‘absolutely obliterated’ the Covid-19 virus.

Professor Jones concluded that it was important for practitioners to think about the impact of solutions on contact lens comfort, particularly for ortho-K, scleral and gas permeable lenses and urged them to consider changing solutions if their patient was having problems.

PI Managing Director, Nick Atkins, said: “The events were a great success, making practitioners think about lens care for maybe the first time in 10 years. We had great audience participation with really engaged people, making for highly enjoyable evenings for everyone.”

Professor Jones added: “It was really great to be back in the UK and the interactive components of the CPD really set the events apart, especially from what usually happens in North America where it tends to be just lectures. We got more engagement from the audience and better feedback, making the events more enjoyable for everyone there.”