Daily disposable lenses have many advantages over other contact lens modalities. Whether its ocular health, convenience, or compliance, there are a variety of reasons that eye care professionals should consider making daily disposable contact lenses an integral part of their practice. Are you ready to embrace this growing modality in your practice?

CooperVision will hold a webinar on making daily disposables a significant part of your practice on March 27, 2013 at 9:00 PM (EST).

This webinar, hosted by Dr. Keith Wan, offers clear and practical advice on how to make daily disposables a big part of your contact lens practice.

Dr. Wan will talk about:

• Advantages of 1 Days for Patients
• Trends in Market Share & Growth and How to Leverage These in your Eye Care Practice
• Patient Compliance with 1 Days vs. Other Modalities
• Talking Points On Financial Concerns of Patients About 1 Days
• The Growing Popularity of the 1 Day Modality

Click here to register!

Dr. Keith Wan specializes in fitting contact lenses and medically indicated contact lenses for conditions such as keratoconus, high myopia, and anisometropia. Dr. Wan is board certified in the treatment of ocular disease, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Therapeutic privileges are utilized with the ability to prescribe topical steroids, glaucoma, and systemic medications. He also participates in laser refractive surgery co-management and post refractive surgical care for patients. Dr. Wan was named America's Top Optometrist for 2006 and 2007 by the Consumers Research Council of America.

Allergy sufferers should be ready for a bad fall allergy season this year. Fall allergies are typically from high pollen counts. High pollen counts happen when there are warm temperatures and rainfall in the summer. High pollen counts coupled with dry weather afterwards set the stage for a tough allergy season ahead.

Eye allergies, also known as ocular allergies, occur when an allergen irritates the conjunctiva of a patient. The conjunctiva is a delicate membrane that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid. Ocular allergies can cause eyes to hurt, water, become itchy, red, or swollen. While eye allergies can be unpleasant, it doesn’t pose a risk to a patient’s eyesight except for temporary blurriness. Some possible allergens that can cause eye allergies are: pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and pet dander. Pollen and mold spores are seasonal allergens while the other allergens can cause eye allergies year round.

Here are some tips that patients can use in order to survive fall allergy season:

• If you have eye allergy symptoms, see an eye doctor
• Wear a hat and sunglasses when you head outside in order to reduce the amount of allergens that can blow into your eyes.
• Flush allergens out with eye drops recommended by your eye doctor
• Vacuum and use a HEPA filter. That can prevent the buildup of allergens around the house.
• Avoid going outdoors during high pollen count days.
• Keep windows closed at night if possible in order to avoid getting pollen in the house.

What are some allergy tips that work for you during fall? Share them with us in our comments section.

A replacement schedule is the length of time your contacts can be worn before they need to be replaced with new lenses (taking them out at night is a given unless you have "extended wear" contacts). Your eye doctor can help you decide what the best replacement and wearing schedule for you is based on your lifestyle and vision correction needs. Here is a list of the different replacement schedule options you can discuss with your eye doctor.

Daily Disposable

This replacement schedule is ideal for patients who may suffer from allergies from contact lens solutions because daily disposable contact lenses eliminate the need for lens cleaning or disinfection. Since daily disposable contact lenses are replaced each day, they're also the healthiest lens option and can help those that suffer from ocular allergies. CooperVision makes great daily disposable contact lens options. One option is Proclear 1 Day contact lenses. They are made with PC Technology™, which is a lens material that contains molecules found naturally in human cell membranes. These molecules attract and surround themselves with water, keeping Proclear contact lenses moist and comfortable, even after 12 hours of wear. In fact, Proclear lenses are the only contact lenses for dry eyes with FDA clearance for the claim: "may provide improved comfort for contact lens wearers who experience mild discomfort or symptoms relating to dryness during lens wear."

Two Week

Contact lenses that are replaced every two weeks are also known as disposable lenses. It is the most popular replacement schedule in the U.S. because of a combination of affordability and convenience. CooperVision offers Avaira contact lenses in this replacement schedule. Avaira contact lenses are made from material that uses Aquaform® Comfort Science Technology. As a result, the lens material is a softer, more flexible one, contributing to Avaira's extremely comfortable lens wearing experience.

Monthly

This replacement schedule is when contact lenses are replaced on a monthly basis. This schedule is convenient because it contains contact lenses that are made from silicone hydrogel materials that are FDA approved for extended wear. These materials offer the highest levels of oxygen to the eye, which significantly reduces the effects of hypoxic stress to the cornea. Extended wear is when a contact lens wearer chooses to sleep in their contact lenses. CooperVision offers a monthly contact lens line called Biofinity for this replacement schedule. It is FDA approved for 6 nights and 7 days of extended wear. Patients who choose to wear monthly lenses for extended wear should consult their eye doctor about their exact replacement schedule.

As long as the contact lenses are properly cared for and a patient follows the replacement schedule recommended by his/her eye doctor, contact lenses are a safe and convenient option for correcting vision. Make sure to talk to your eye doctor about you contact lens options. No matter what replacement schedule you choose, CooperVision is sure to have a contact lens for you.

What is a daily disposable contact lens?

A daily disposable contact lens is a contact lens that you wear for one day. A patient puts them in the morning, and then throws them away at night. Each day, the patient starts with a fresh, clean, new pair of contact lenses. CooperVision offers a daily disposable contact lens option with its Proclear 1 Day contact lenses.

Are daily disposable contact lenses easy to care for?

Since daily disposable contact lenses are replaced every day, there is little contact lens maintenance. They are convenient because there are no time-consuming cleaning regimens to remember, and no solutions to buy.

Are daily disposable contact lenses comfortable?

Proclear 1 Day contact lenses are made with a unique lens material, with PC Hydration Technology™, that contains molecules found naturally in human cell membranes. These molecules attract and surround themselves with water, keeping your disposable contact lenses moist and comfortable, even after 12 hours of wear.

I have allergies and avoid wearing contact lenses. Are daily disposable contact lenses are a good option for me?

Proteins and allergens don't have time to build up on your lenses because you will be using a fresh new lens every day. This is especially helpful to those with seasonal ocular allergies.

How do I know what contact lenses are right for me?

Deciding which contact lenses are right for you is something that an eye doctor can help you with. Based on your vision correction needs, lifestyle, and preferences, an eye doctor will be able to guide you to the right contact lens for you. To get started, you can use CooperVision’s Find A Lens quiz. Take this quiz to find out how to choose contact lenses that could help you enjoy the best in vision, health, and comfort. Be sure to print your results and bring them to your next appointment to help start the conversation with your eye doctor.