CooperVision Distributes 6,000 Fit Sets for Groundbreaking Contact Lenses for Digital Device Users While National Media Attention Illustrates Market Demand
PLEASANTON, Calif., November 9, 2016 — Buoyed by consumer media attention from across the United States, CooperVision, Inc.’s new Biofinity Energys™ contact lenses with Digital Zone Optics™ lens design are gaining momentum with eye care professionals and contact lens wearers alike. Since September, CooperVision has tripled the number of fit sets available, resulting in widespread availability to practices throughout the country.
Combining breakthrough optical properties, a moisture-retaining material and a smooth, naturally wettable surface for long-lasting comfort, the patent-pending Biofinity Energys™ contact lenses were specifically created from the ground up for today’s digital world.
The lenses’ unique Digital Zone Optics™ design has garnered the attention of dozens of consumer media outlets over the past several weeks. At the beginning of October, CBS News Technology Analyst Larry Magid featured Biofinity Energys™ in a “Tech Talk” segment for which he interviewed Michele Andrews, OD, Senior Director of Professional and Academic Affairs, North America, CooperVision. In the following weeks, Biofinity Energys™ was highlighted on more than 100 radio stations in 44 DMAs as part of discussions about the prevalence of digital eye fatigue.
“The ocular discomfort associated with hours of digital device use is something that many people can relate to,” said Dr. Andrews. “As such, mainstream consumer media outlets from all over the U.S. have been interested in helping to raise awareness of the issue and how Biofinity Energys™ lenses can help make wearers’ eyes feel less tired.”
Seven in ten adults experience symptoms that come with long hours of digital device usage2, yet the widespread condition is often dismissed as “normal” by a population that has become accustomed to a digital lifestyle1,3,4. Discomfort is most commonly felt after two or more hours in front of a digital screen, characterized by tiredness, dryness, and redness. Extended exposure to bright light, screen glare and longer periods of device use can contribute to the issue. This type of use can also create varying degrees of physical discomfort, and may also contribute to productivity loss, sluggishness and stress.
The issue doesn’t discriminate by age. More than a third of Millennials spend nine or more hours each day on digital devices2. Not surprisingly, 68 percent2 to 88 percent5 of this population report eye tiredness and dryness symptoms.
Biofinity Energys™ lenses are available in the same material (comfilcon A, 48% water content) and parameter range as Biofinity® sphere lenses, with an 8.6 mm base curve, 0.08 mm center thickness at -3.00D, and 14.0 mm diameter in sphere powers from +8.00 to -12.00. The Dk/t of Biofinity Energys™ is also the same as Biofinity® sphere (160 at -3.00D).
For more information, please visit http://coopervision.com/practitioner/our-products/biofinity-family/biofinity-energys or FightEyeFatigue.com.
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About CooperVision
CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism and presbyopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.
About The Cooper Companies
The Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper is dedicated to being A Quality of Life Company™ with a focus on delivering shareholder value. Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on women’s health, fertility and diagnostics. Headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, Cooper has approximately 10,000 employees with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
1 The Vision Council. Eyes Overexposed: The Digital Device Dilemma - 2016 Digital Eye Strain Report.
2 The Vision Council. Hindsight is 20/20: Protecting Your Eyes from Digital Devices - 2015 Digital Eye Strain Report.
3 “Doctor, My Eyes… Are Tired!” Review of Optometry, May 15, 2016.
4 The Vision Council. DigitEYEzed: The Daily Impact of Digital Screens on the Eye Health of Americans - 2014 Digital Eye Strain Report.
5 YouGov European Eye Fatigue Study, April 2016.
Media Contact
Heather Kowalczyk, APR McDougall Communications for CooperVision, Inc.
heather@mcdougallpr.com or 585-330-4878