These days, Louise Sclafani, OD, of Chicago, Illinois, would just as soon that patients leave the exam room as soon as they are able. With many contact lens patients, that’s possible. She can prescribe a soft contact lens from inventory and an experienced contact lens wearer can report back or visit for a quick check a week later. But when a patient requires the premium performance of a customized lens, the process has taken a little longer.
However, with the introduction of the new SynergEyes iD lens, the process is streamlined. These lenses, designed for patients with astigmatism and presbyopia, hyperopia and myopia, are fit empirically, eliminating the necessity for multiuse diagnostic fit sets of trial lens applications. “It requires data that’s easy to collect: horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID), refraction and k readings,’ says Dr. Sclafani. “The flexibility for doctors and patients is tremendous. We can gather the data, the patient can think about it and not be forced to make a decision in the exam lane, and we can order it,” she says. Dr. Sclafani is the vice president of professional affairs for SynergEyes.
Fitting this lens is ideal for the patient flow goals of this time, too. “I am not worried about whether I have people waiting and need to move this patient along so I can clean the exam lane,” she says. Instead, she can send the patient home with a package of information, allow them to make an unhurried choice and provide them with a truly customized contact lens fit. The informational kit contributes to increased practice efficiency and patient success as it includes a link to an insertion and removal resource page so that patients are essentially getting the training at home. When they arrive at the office to pick up the lenses, a few practice insertions and removals can be done quite quickly, she says.
“There are so many combinations possible,” says Dr. Sclafani. “Patients realize that they are getting a truly personalized option,” she says. There is no need to choose between fixed skirt or base curve options; a patient’s unique corneal diameter and curvature drive the specific lens design, with new linear skirts following the linear shape of the sclera. The multifocal lens is powered by a proprietary Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) design from the Brien Holden Vision Institute and proven multifocal optics provide patients with a clear visual experience that smoothly transitions through all distances.
Dr. Sclafani says that this lens is ideal for any patient who would like the enhanced acuity of a gas permeable lens and the comfort of a soft lens. Now, with the option of fitting these patients empirically, the option has become even more convenient for both doctor and patients.
Early Success
During a pre-launch Early Access Program for the SynergEyes iD hybrid lenses in 2020, eye care professionals across the U.S. and Canada successfully prescribed these hybrid lenses for their astigmatic and presbyopic patients. With fits on more than 1,500 eyes, practitioners consistently commented on the positive impact the successful dispenses brought to their practice and patients. The empirically-designed lens offers a streamlined fit, 84 percent rate of first-lens dispense, high patient preference and satisfaction and revenue retention*.
SynergEyes iD officially debuted at the 2021 Virtual Global Specialty Lens Symposium.
*SynergEyes data on file.
