Page 20 - Nov- Dec 2024

ALCON Dr. Jason Compton, an eye care provider, praised the lens for
LAUNCHES
PRECISION7
Alcon has launched
the Precision7, a new 1-week
replacement silicone hydrogel
(SiHy) contact lens that promises
enhanced comfort and precise
vision for both sphere and toric
designs. Unveiled at Academy
2024, the Precision7 features
the company’s innovative
Activ-Flo technology, which
offers up to 16 hours of comfort
throughout the day. This
technology aims to meet the
needs of contact lens wearers
who require a more affordable
option when daily disposable
lenses are not suitable.
The Precision7 lens is made
from serafilcon A, a silicone
hydrogel material that combines
a water-loving moisturising
agent embedded in the lens
matrix with a proprietary
replenishing agent. This unique
combination helps to continually
release moisture to the lens
surface for a full 7 days of wear.
The lens has been approved
by the FDA for up to 7 days and
6 nights of continuous wear.
However, Alcon’s marketing
will not emphasise the
continuous wear feature but will
instead highlight its practicality,
such as providing peace of
mind for patients who may
occasionally nap in their lenses.
The company has launched
a “Pick Your Day” campaign,
encouraging users to choose
a consistent day each week to
replace their lenses, simplifying
the replacement schedule.
14 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | NOV-DEC 2024
its intuitive weekly replacement system, allowing patients to
conveniently replace their lenses on a designated day. Alcon also
recommends that users who choose to remove their lenses at night
should clean them like any daily wear lens.
Precision7 is part of Alcon’s WaterInnovations portfolio and is
currently available through select eye care providers, with broader
commercial availability in the U.S. expected by January 2025.
SELF-LUBRICATING CLS
Researchers have developed innovative self-lubricating
contact lenses that help prevent dry eyes by using bacteria
to continuously produce hyaluronic acid, a natural lubricant.
Dry eye is a common issue for contact lens wearers, as lenses
disrupt the eye’s tear film, causing friction and discomfort.
Traditional solutions, such as eye drops, provide only short-term
relief. However, the new lenses contain bacteria that generate
hyaluronic acid, offering longer-lasting moisture.
“Contact lens-associated dry eye prevents contact lens
wear and limits wear time,” said Aránzazu del Campo, scientific
director and CEO of the INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials
in Germany. “The contact lens user needs to continuously
use eye drops to restore the liquid and lubricant film on the
contact lens surface.”
The bacteria, Corynebacterium glutamicum, are harmless
and naturally found in soil. They were chosen for their ability to
produce hyaluronic acid and for their similarity to a species found
in the human eye microbiome. These bacteria are embedded
in the rim of the lens and replenish the lubricant as long as they
receive nutrients from the wearer’s tears or the lens care solution.
In laboratory tests, the bacteria maintained lubrication for weeks.
As per a report published in Advanced Materials, this
advancement offers a potential solution for those who struggle
with dry eyes due to contact lenses. However, experts such as
optometrist Meenal Agarwal have expressed concerns about
the safety of live bacteria in the lenses, particularly for those
with compromised immune systems. While the bacteria used
in the study have been shown to be non-toxic, further research
is required to address safety and comfort issues before these
lenses can be widely used.
Researchers are optimistic, noting that the new lenses could
provide a more effective and comfortable alternative to current
solutions once safety is confirmed.
CONTACT LENS NEWS