Trend 1: The increasing appeal of daily disposables
One of the strongest trends in contact lenses is increasing daily disposable usage. Driving this trend are two major facts: daily disposables are convenient and comfortable.1
In 2002, daily disposables represented 5.3% of all soft lenses prescribed. This level of prescribing has risen steadily since then, reaching 27.1% of all soft lens fits in 2014.2
Therefore, for many new and existing wearers, daily disposables make a good starting point.
Trend 2: Baby boomers and Generation X are becoming presbyopic
In the 2010 U.S. Census, the percentage of people ages 45 to 64 made up 26.4% and the 65 and over population was 13%. Based on these numbers, nearly 39.4% of the population is presbyopic in the U.S. Much of this population has the means and the willingness to purchase innovative products that enhance lifestyle and appearance. Many of these presbyopes, however, are unaware that multifocal contact lenses even exist.
Gen X has more spending power than any other generation, and they are unwilling to compromise on comfort and convenience. Generally, they are tech savvy, using a wide variety of mobile high-tech devices with varying working distances. These patients are not ready to give in to Mother Nature and they prefer to continue wearing contact lenses. Therefore, they are ready for earlier discussions on contact lens options and will be more willing to try these options.
Daily disposable multifocals are therefore tapping into these two major trends and are a large market potential. The opportunity to fit multifocal contacts lenses is great, .as it increases your revenue and profit with specialty exam fees and material sales, since your multifocal patients also need bifocal glasses.
Currently, multifocal contact lens options are vast and easier than ever to fit, with CooperVision offering the widest range of multifocal contact lenses. CooperVision’s 1-day multifocal portfolio includes clariti® 1 day multifocal and Proclear® 1 day multifocal.
clariti® 1 day multifocal is the world’s only silicone hydrogel, daily disposable contact lens for presbyopia. With an optical design that defends for distance, you can keep your patients wearing 1-day lenses much longer than before without compromising ocular health with clariti® 1 day multifocal. clariti® 1 day multifocal also features high oxygen transmissibility, high water content and a low modulus.
Proclear® 1 day multifocal is an easy to fit multifocal lens that delivers a high success rate, and offers easy patient adaptation through different stages of presbyopia. Providing excellent vision from any distance, Proclear® 1 day multifocal lenses also naturally provide a compatible and wettable environment for both the eye and the lens.
Next Steps for Your Practice
A great first step is to build a multifocal strategy in your practice that includes ways that you and your staff can proactively recommend multifocal contact lenses, without waiting for your patients to inquire. Also, actively promoting and advertising that you fit multifocal contact lenses is wise, especially via email or social media as Gen X-ers tend to respond to digital advertising vs. traditional advertising.
Now is the time to start fitting your presbyopes with multifocals. By 2018, presbyopes are projected to be the single largest group of potential contact lens wearers.3 Don’t allow this business growth opportunity pass you by!
References
1. Nason RJ, Boshnick EL, Cannon WM, et al. Multisite comparison of contact lens modalities. Daily disposable wear versus conventional daily wear in successful contact lens wearers. J Am Optom Assoc1994 65(11):774-780.
2. Efron, N et al. Trends in US Contact Lens Prescribing 2002 to 2014. Optometry & Vision Science July 2015.
3. Studebaker J. Soft multifocals: practice growth opportunity. Available at: www.clspectrum.com/article.aspx?article=103013 (Accessed March 2011).