CooperVision Latest
CooperVision is rolling-out with a number of communication initiatives targeted at not only yourself, the eye care practitioner, but also the patient to drive awareness of contact lenses and encourage trial.
CV Sponsorship of SRC (May 08) and holding symposium with Nathan Efron presenting on silicone hydrogel contact-lens revolution
The silicone hydrogel contact lens revolution
CooperVision hosted Professor Nathan Efron internationally recognised author and award-wining educator in the field of the ocular responses to contact lens wear at the Southern Regional Congress Trade Expo at the Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne Victoria.
Professor Efron presented his latest finding at the event recently to further assist practitioners understanding of the technology underpinning silicone hydrogel contact lenses, patterns of prescribing locally and overseas as well as recognising clinical performance and determining optimum characteristics of the lenses.
Professor Efron lectured to an interested audience of optometrists and industry affiliates about silicone hydrogel and its revolution in the contact lens market. The introduction of silicone-hydrogel contact lenses in 1999 heralded a revolution in eye care, and these products now represent the majority of lens sales in most world markets.
He reported that numerous clinical trials have failed to reveal any problems relating to hypoxia with these lenses. For extended wear, the risk of developing microbial keratitis is five times lower with silicone hydrogel lenses compared with conventional hydrogel lenses.
Professor Efron went on to say that in choosing the best silicone hydrogel lenses for a patient, clinicians need to prescribe lenses with reduced material stiffness and superior surface lubricity (for better comfort) and good optics (for improved vision).
My Heart Only Has Eyes for You
In February, CooperVision held a series of national launches for the new Proclear 1 Day Contact Lens.
Attended by over 200 optometrists, the launches were held days before Valentine’s Day in Sydney and Melbourne.
Each launch was lovingly themed around Valentines Day to compliment the lenses material – the Proclear lenses are made from the same material used in heart stents.
Aiming to address the issue of comfort, CooperVision has created Proclear 1 Day Contact Lens. Unlike any other contact lens in it’s class, Proclear 1 Day is made from a material containing phosphorylcholine (PC), a synthetic copy of the naturally occurring component found in cells throughout the body that allow them to live next to each other. When used in contact lenses, PC technology locks in water to create a shield around the lens on the eye, keeping contact lenses moist and comfortable throughout the day.
Currently more than 45% of contact lenses wearers blame dry eyes for discomfort1. Interestingly the lens material used in Proclear 1 Day is the only lens material with clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the claim that it may improve comfort for wearers who experience mild discomfort or symptoms relating to dryness during lens wear2.
With comfort in mind, CooperVision enlisted esteemed Professor Nathan Efron to deliver the keynote address discussing ‘managing comfort of contact lens success’. Professor Efron's presentation was entertaining and informative covering comfort at all levels including: the importance of comfort, what drives comfort, reasons for contact lens discomfort, moisturising agents, wettability, lens dehydration, environmental factors and looked at comfort comparisons between various contact lens manufactures.
CooperVision’s, Wayne Reuben also provided an insightful look at marketing in Australia and specifically the Australian contact lens market with his presentation.
The vibe was friendly with optometrists’ excitingly discussing the revolutionary new daily disposable contact lenses over tasty canapés and drinks.
CooperVision is so confident in the comfort of the Proclear 1 Day lenses that they are guaranteeing their comfort.
Wayne Reuben, Country Manager Australia/New Zealand explains, “If patients are not completely satisfied with the comfort of their CooperVision lenses, we will enable optometrists to refund them 100% of the price within 60 days of purchase. We believe that the CooperVision product offering is second to none and with comfort the number one consumer issue, we know we can provide patients with the best solution to meet their contact lens wearing needs and guarantee† their comfort.”
The Proclear 1 Day Range is now available in plus powers. Contact your territory manager for a fitting set or for more information on this product.
References: 1 CooperVision Consumer Survey Australia 2007. 2 FDA-cleared labelling indication: “May provide improved comfort for contact lens wearers who experience mild discomfort or symptoms relating to dryness during lens wear”.
BioMedics Community Initiative piloted in Tasmania
The BioMedics grass roots campaign is now being piloted in Tasmania for six months (June – October 2008).
Partnering with a number of participating optometrists across Tasmania, CooperVision is offering their members a chance to take advantage of a $20 cash back offer plus go into the draw to win one of 100 x $50 retail sports voucher, in the BioMedics® and You: a Winning Team! campaign.
Patients will be required to enter the barcode from their purchased BioMedics® 1 Day pack.
Details are all entered online via www.biomedicsports.com, a dedicated web page for the campaign, to go into the draw.
