FOCUS ON CONTACT LENSES
Dry Eye Dilemma
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

In this special three-part series, Eyecare Business talks to both patients and their doctors about contact lens wear. This month, we interview Jon Walker, OD, Pearle Vision, Jacksonville, Fla., and astigmatic patient Roxanne Cohen who came in complaining of dry eye.

Jon Walker, OD

Roxanne Cohen: My eyes were excessively dry, which led to a lot of discomfort at the end of the day. This forced me to have to remove my contact lenses during the day to rewet them for comfort.

Jon Walker, OD: In addition to her eyes being dry and uncomfortable, her wearing time was not what she wanted or what she had experienced in the past. She also had an astigmatic correction. I switched her to a lens material that has demonstrated better end- of-the-day comfort to address the dryness issue, which is also an astigmatic contact lens. 

RC: I was excited to learn there was a new brand of contact lens that was made for people with my type of eye problem, dryness—giving me additional comfort time to wear my contact lenses. I adapted quickly and easily to them.

JW: She noticed immediately the increase in comfort, and on follow-up, added that the end-of-the-day comfort was improved. Her vision also seemed crisper and more stable then with any of her [three] previous lenses.

RC: I didn't notice any extreme difference in vision with the new lenses. The main difference is not being distracted by any discomfort throughout the day. I appreciated the fact that Dr. Walker kept me, and my eye problem, in mind, and gave me the chance to try out a
sample pair with no
purchase obligation. The new lenses increased my cost, but they're well worth the price.

JW: Life is full of little successes that culminate into a successful day, then a week, then a year, and ultimately a career. When a long-time patient can see resolution to a contact lens issue like Roxanne did, the entire office deserves credit.

Tools, P.O.P., and knowledge allow our staff to be confident and successful.

The reality is that success in contact lenses requires innovative products, receptive patients, enthusiastic staff, and an educated doctor.

According to a recent article in "USA Today," 3.2 million women and 1.6 million men in the USA over age 50 suffer from dry eye. Think it's not serious? They "describe symptoms from annoying to life-altering. For some, the feeling that their eyes are too dry and gritty is constant; others have discomfort that comes and goes."