From published studies in peer-reviewed journals to ECP experiences in the exam room, the benefits of silicone hydrogel contact lenses have been well-noted.1-3 SiHy materials have all but eliminated hypoxic complications of contact lens wear.4 What’s more, silicone hydrogel lenses handle well, are as comfortable as their hydrogel counterparts, and cover almost all patient prescriptions.4
Adding a daily disposable modality to the equation, SiHy daily disposable contact lenses provide convenience to the patient, along with greater compliance rates and a more favorable physiological response.5
“There is rarely a situation when I don’t consider silicone hydrogel daily disposables lenses to be the best option for the patient,” says Dr. Josh Rajasansi, owner of Experts on Sight in Gilbert and Mesa, AZ. “There are situations when lens choice balances between vision and function, and sometimes you need to select a non-silicone hydrogel lens from a functional standpoint. But silicone hydrogel daily disposable lenses are always my first choice.”
Here, Dr. Rajasansi shares his top four why’s behind SiHy daily disposables, including their benefits, the ease in upgrading patients, and how ECPs can leverage both MyDay® and clariti® 1 day silicone hydrogel daily disposables in practice.
1.The SiHy Daily Disposable/Eye Health Connection
It’s been well established that oxygen deprivation to the surface of the eye and the cornea can result in potential adverse complications, Dr. Rajasansi continues.
With silicone hydrogel daily disposables lenses, the amount of oxygen that reaches the surface of the eye is maximized, he adds. “The current material that isn’t silicone hydrogel doesn’t typically perform as well.”
Specifically:
- Early silicone hydrogel designs faced some challenges, including finding the right balance between moisture content, oxygen transmissibility, and modulus, in addition to establishing the optimum comfort level for wearers.5,6
- Hydrogel lenses generally have a higher water content and much lower oxygen permeability.5 Low oxygen transmissibility is known to contribute to contact lens‐related complications, such as corneal inflammation or neovascularization.5
2. Easy Strategies to Upgrade Patients into SiHy Dailies
As a matter of course, Dr. Rajasansi switches any new patient wearing a hydrogel or a reusable lens-whether a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly modality - into a SiHy daily disposable.
Despite the upgrade in design alone, some patients may be hesitant to change their current prescription, he notes.
“Initially, patients who were previously fit in a hydrogel might say a silicone hydrogel lens feels different. I counter by letting the patient know that different isn’t a bad thing,” Dr. Rajasansi says. “The diameter of the lens may be different. The modulus might be a little different. And, obviously, the material is different,” he says.
Some doctors might interpret this feedback to mean the patient doesn’t like the lens. However, that’s not usually the case and underscores the importance of letting the patient trial the lens first to give them time to adapt to the new design, he adds.
Another pro tip: ECPs should consider assessing the lens beyond the initial insertion and again at mid- and end-of the day.
“Doctors will notice that the patient’s eyes are whiter in a silicone hydrogel daily disposable.7 This is especially true at the end of a long day and when patients are staring at screens,” he notes.
3. A Dual Practice Opportunity with MyDay® and clariti® 1 day
Dr. Rajasansi offers both MyDay® and clariti® 1 day silicone hydrogel daily disposable lenses at his practice since both lens families offer distinct benefits for the patient, he says.
Dr. Rajasansi describes MyDay® as a premium product and his go-to lens family of choice.8
“However, if a patient is concerned about cost, I will tell them there is a great silicone hydrogel daily disposable lens called clariti®.”
He continues, “The patients who I fit in clariti® 1 day are often new to contact lens wear, and they may be younger. Economics are often a consideration for patients, and clariti® offers the benefits of a silicone hydrogel daily disposable lens at a good price point.9,10 If any current contact lens wearer comes into our office and isn’t wearing a silicone hydrogel lens, I will instantly switch them to clariti® because of the price point."10
4. Patient Lifestyle Considerations with SiHy Daily Disposables
Today, digital device use is on the rise.11 With this in mind, Dr. Rajasansi prescribes MyDay Energys® for his patients who log continuous time on screens. MyDay Energys® is unique in that it combines Digital Boost™ technology and Aquaform® Technology to help with both eye tiredness and dryness associated with digital device use.8
The MyDay® family also offers a broad prescription range, including its toric parameters for patients with astigmatism, Dr. Rajasansi adds.12
“If a patient’s prescription changes over time, I can be confident that a MyDay® lens will likely be available to meet their changing needs,” he says.
When economics come into play, switching a patient from MyDay® to clariti® 1 day is an excellent option for the patient, he adds.*
“I had a patient who came into the office wearing MyDay® and asked to switch to a reusable lens due to cost. I switched the patient to clariti® instead. Whatever is going on in a patient’s life, these things happen. I let the patient know that we have a great alternative silicone hydrogel daily, and we could switch back to MyDay® in the future if they wanted. This gives our patients flexibility and options where other manufacturers don’t necessarily have the same options in the silicone hydrogel daily disposable space.”
Learn More
Discover more about CooperVision’s portfolio of silicone hydrogel 1-day lenses with MyDay® and clariti® 1 day.
Dr. Josh S. Rajasansi graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry. Dr. Rajasansi is a co-owner of a growing multi-OD practice in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert, AZ, and also sees patients at Corneal Consultants of Arizona. A large part of his practice includes gas permeable lenses, hybrids, orthokeratology, myopia control, scleral lenses, and dry eye therapy. He has been part of the Professional Advisory Board for SynergEyes, is a Board Member and Regional Leader for PECAA, and is a speaker for CooperVision.
