According to company estimates, ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS is the number one silicone hydrogel lens on the market. ACUVUE OASYS is the first contact lens made from senofilcon A, a new silicone hydrogel material that is reported to be 50 percent smoother than currently available silicone hydrogel lenses. In addition to its smooth feel, it also features HYDRACLEAR PLUS, an improved formulation of the unique HYDRACLEAR technology that combines high performance base materials with a moisture-rich wetting agent.

“ACUVUE OASYS is a breakthrough for contact lens wearers when their eyes feel tired and dry in challenging environments, such as long hours of computer use, frequent ground or air travel, or everyday exposure to heated or air conditioned surroundings. It’s also a great lens for patients who want to stay in contacts as they get older. ACUVUE OASYS is also bringing back contact lens drop outs who had abandoned contact lens wear due to issues with contact lens related dryness,” Kelman added.

With all this talk about how silky smooth the ACUVUE OASYS lenses are, I encourage anyone skeptical of this claim to take the two finger rub challenge. Place a single ACUVUE OASYS lens between your thumb and index finger while at the same time placing any other “smooth” contact lens between the thumb and index finger of the other hand and then simply rub. While this non-scientific test may not be perfect, it clearly demonstrates the effect that HYDRACLEAR PLUS has on this lens.

ACUVUE ADVANCE for ASTIGMATISM was the first silicone hydrogel toric lens and the only toric lens to feature HYDRACLEAR. “It is the most widely prescribed contact lenses for patients diagnosed with astigmatism because it satisfies doctors’ needs for an easy-to-fit, low-chair-time toric lens that is comfortable for patients and provides exceptional acuity,” said Kelman.

While 1-DAY ACUVUE and 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST are both excellent choices for patients who prefer the convenience and health benefits of daily disposables, many doctors are recommending 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST because it features breakthrough LACREON technology.

According to Vistakon, LACREON technology employs a unique process that permanently embeds a water holding ingredient, similar to that found in natural tears, into the proven etafilcon A material of the 1-DAY ACUVUE Brand. “This technological advancement locks in moisture that lasts throughout the day, allowing eyes to feel fresh and comfortable all day long,” Kelman commented.

A Commitment to Service

There is more to being an industry leader than simply having great products. “Making sure that every experience with Vistakon is a good one is a top priority,” Kelman said.

Vistakon recently invited more than two-dozen eye doctors, technicians, and office staff members to a first-of-its-kind Ease of Business Forum, sponsored by Vistakon’s Customer Development Group. Participants discussed business-related issues like ordering, billing, and shipping in order to learn how to make Vistakon a better company to do business with.

This Forum, along with feedback from other customers, has led to a number of improvements. Doctors nationwide have already started to see some changes, such as fewer and more intuitive monthly statements, with key information prominently displayed on the front page. Later this year, Vistakon expects to roll out E-invoicing, which will allow online review of invoices and monthly statements.

In addition, Vistakon offers many services to help doctors educate patients and build their practices. The new ACUMINDER™ online electronic contact lens reminder service is targeted toward the nearly 80 percent of contact lens wearers who say they change their lenses less often than recommended by their doctor. Patients who register for the free service can receive reminders by email, cell phone text message, and/or a computer desktop prompt. Another complimentary service, “Click-to-be-Contacted,” facilitates appointment scheduling for new contact lens patients by shifting the responsibility of scheduling to the practitioner.

Commitment to optometrists and patients extends beyond products and services. For example, The Vision Care Institute™, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company, is an innovative professional resource for optometry students and recent graduates. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., the state-of-the-art facility gives participants a rare opportunity to experience the latest in vision diagnostic and treatment technologies through hands-on instruction, including training on contact lens fitting and prescribing.

Working in tandem with leading schools and associations since its launch in March 2004, The Vision Care Institute™ has hosted more than 2,500 students from all 19 of the schools and colleges of optometry throughout North America.

The Vision Care Institute also now offers a monthly podcast to eye care professionals. Available free-of-charge, the TVCI podcasts feature interviews with leading eye care professionals on the latest in eye health.The podcasts are available in English, French and Spanish. They can be downloaded by visiting www.tvciedu.com or subscribed to through iTunes.

“Educating the public about the importance of eye care exams as an integral part of health care at all ages and stages of life is a core component of the company’s educational efforts. We continue to support programs and initiatives that offer the potential to demonstrate improved and sustainable outcomes in eye health,” Kelman concluded.