New Survey Finds More Education on Contact Lenses and Lens Care Will Help Consumers See 20/20

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Contact Lens Council (CLC), a non- profit organization and resource on vision correction, today announced results from the "Eye on Innovations" survey. The findings reveal that the growth in the contact lens and lens care industry is happening so fast that consumers are not aware of all their current options. In fact, more than 83 percent of respondents say they would like to try contact lenses if they were available to satisfy their personal eye care requirements; however, many don't realize that there are contact lenses to serve almost all vision needs.

New innovations abound, but not all consumers are aware

"The results of this study reveal a gap between the advances in vision care and consumer awareness," said Edward Schilling, Executive Director of the CLC. "We see this as an opportunity to educate consumers and have recently launched a new Web site, http://www.mycontactlenses.org/, with more information. We hope it will encourage consumers and eye care professionals alike to have more detailed conversations that would result in improved overall care."

Some of the major advancements in contact lenses and lens care that consumers were reportedly unaware of include:

   - New materials, specifically silicone hydrogel, used in contact lenses
     that help alleviate dry eye symptoms (69 percent)

   - Lenses with UV protection (55 percent)

   - Multifocal lenses to restore natural youthful vision (40 percent)

   - Toric lenses for astigmatism (23 percent)

  Proper lens care remains a necessity

The survey not only evaluated perspectives on consumer awareness of eye care and contact lens knowledge from both the consumer and eye care professional's (ECP) point of view, but also explored the barriers to and best practices in proper lens care. The findings conclude that despite recent safety concerns and recommendations from ECPs, consumers still bend the rules when it comes to caring for their lenses:

  * More than 44 percent of contact lens wearers always or occasionally top-
    off (re-use) their contact lens solution, which can lead to bacteria
    growth and infection as well as decrease the efficacy of the solution.

  * Less than half (46 percent) of the respondents clean their lens case
    after each, despite the fact that the majority of ECPs (71 percent)
    recommend patients clean their case after each use.

  * Nearly half (49 percent) of contact lens wearers wear their contacts
    longer than recommended.

"Contact lenses are FDA regulated medical devices that require proper care," said Schilling. "And this study is a strong indication of how important it is for consumers to follow the lens care instructions outlined by their eye care professionals, as well as ask about the new innovations that are currently available. These new advancements make compliance easier, improve comfort and offer flexibility to the wearer."

The survey was conducted among a total of 500 men and women between the ages of 18-65 from May 1-2, 2007, along with a survey of 298 ECPs conducted from May 15-29, 2007.

Additional key survey findings, as well as information on proper contact lens cleaning and care, the latest news and innovations on contact lenses, and a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions list for kids, adults and families can be found at the Contact Lenses Council Web site at http://www.mycontactlenses.org/.

About the Contact Lens Council:

The CLC is a non-profit organization and educational resource on vision correction for consumers and is dedicated to promoting the healthy wear and care of contact lenses. Advisory members of the CLC include the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the American Optometric Association, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, and the Contact Lens Society of America. The CLC is sponsored by Alcon Laboratories, Advanced Medical Optics, Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, Cooper Vision, and Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.