Industry

Switch to silicone hydrogel contact lenses led to better comfort

Healio Optometry3d ago1 min read

Patients accustomed to wearing hydrogel contact lenses reported better comfort and reduced dryness with silicone hydrogel lenses, according to data from CooperVision.“Although silicone hydrogel lenses now dominate new soft lens fits, approximately one-quarter of patients fit with daily disposable lenses globally are still wearing hydrogel materials,” study coauthor Jennifer Palombi, OD, FAAO, director of professional affairs, Americas, at CooperVision, told Healio. “Modern [silicone hydrogel] materials offer excellent oxygen transmission while also delivering comfort and

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AI Summary

Quick Take

Patients transitioning from traditional hydrogel contact lenses to silicone hydrogel (SiHy) materials reported significant improvements in overall comfort and a reduction in ocular dryness. Despite the industry shift toward SiHy, approximately 25% of daily disposable lens wearers globally remain in older hydrogel materials, representing a substantial population that could benefit from a material upgrade.

Why It Matters

While silicone hydrogel lenses were initially prioritized for their superior oxygen transmissibility to prevent corneal hypoxia, early generations sometimes struggled with modulus and surface wettability. Modern SiHy materials have largely bridged this gap, offering the physiological benefits of high oxygen flux without sacrificing the comfort traditionally associated with hydrogels. For the one-quarter of patients still in older materials, proactively recommending a switch can improve long-term wearing success and potentially reduce dropouts related to end-of-day dryness.

Key Findings

Patients accustomed to hydrogel lenses reported better comfort after switching to silicone hydrogel materials.
The transition to silicone hydrogel lenses led to a reduction in self-reported ocular dryness.
Approximately 25% of patients globally who are fit with daily disposable lenses are still wearing hydrogel materials.
Modern silicone hydrogel materials are designed to offer excellent oxygen transmission while simultaneously delivering high levels of comfort.

Practice Implications

Clinicians should review the lens materials of their existing daily disposable patients to identify those still using hydrogel. Transitioning these patients to silicone hydrogel may address underlying dryness complaints and improve the physiological environment of the cornea through better oxygenation.

Who's Affected

OptometristsContact Lens FittersPractice OwnersOphthalmologists

Evidence StrengthPreliminary

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