Many differences exist between brands of contact lenses which impact lens optics. The optics of the contact lens is determined by several factors including lens material1 and design2. Optics is the way in which the refraction of light is managed to maximize vision for the contact lens wearer3. Contact lenses with aspheric optics may provide enhanced vision for many wearers.
What are Aspheric Optics?
Regular spherical contact lenses have an even curvature across the entire lens surface; in contrast, aspheric lenses have varying curvatures across the surface changing from lens center to lens edge. Aspheric lenses are used to minimize optical aberrations within the human eye4. Parts of the eye including the tear film, cornea, and crystalline lens can induce aberrations. Contact lenses deliberately induce a level of aberration in the lens that is inversely equal to the amount of natural spherical aberration inherent in the eye to help give clear, crisp and sharp vision3.
Multifocal Lens Wearers
Lens design and the patient’s pupil size are key to multifocal success. The Biofinity Multifocal has a center-distance (D) lens, which transitions through an aspheric intermediate to an outer near zone for the dominant eye. A center-near (N) lens which transitions through an aspheric intermediate to a spherical peripheral distance zone, is placed on the nondominant eye7. When compared with monovision, multifocal contact lens correction provides great vision without compromising depth perception, with continuous adaptation over the first 15 days of wear8.
Computer Users
Biofinity Energys® and MyDay Energys® are designed for digital device users. DigitalBoost™ is an innovative single vision aspheric lens design that delivers a +0.3D digital boost, which helps reduce eye tiredness associated with digital eye strain. Study data demonstrates that devices users have a smaller change in accommodative micro-fluctuations (AMF) when wearing this DigitalBoost™ design, suggesting reduced ciliary muscle stress when reading on a smartphone or other devices at a close distance9.
Which CooperVision® Lenses are Available with Aspheric Optics?
The CooperVision® portfolio of monthly, bi-weekly, and daily lenses are designed with aspheric optics. The Aberration Neutralizing System™ utilizes aspheric optics to neutralize the aberrations from the eye in the Biofinity®, Avaira Vitality™ and MyDay® families. clariti® 1 day contact lenses also offer an aspheric optical design.
Biofinity® & Biofinity® XR
The Biofinity® family of lenses are monthly replacement lenses designed with aspheric optics and combined with Aquaform Technology® to gives incredible end of day comfort for your patients. Biofinity® is the most prescribed monthly replacement on the market10 and will fit almost every patient with over 240,000 unique prescriptions11,12.
Avaira Vitality™
Avaira Vitality™ lenses are highly breathable, bi-weekly replacement lenses designed with the same Aberration Neutralizing System™ as the Biofinity® family. The technology of a Avaira Vitality™ retains the lens surface moist all day, but also blocks transmission of 90% of UVA and 99% of UVB light*.
MyDay®
MyDay® daily disposable are designed with the same Aberration Neutralizing System™ to provide optimal vision combined with UV blocking* and incredible comfort all day long. The MyDay® daily disposable is available in sphere, toric, and multifocal options.
clariti® 1 day
clariti® 1 day contact lenses also offer aspheric optics and provide silicone hydrogel at a comparable price to some hydrogel lenses13†. In addition, clariti® 1 day contact lenses feature high water content (56%), UVA and UVB blocker*, and a low modulus of 0.5 MPa, comparable with other hydrogel lenses. The clariti family also offers sphere, toric and multifocal options and is an ideal entry-level contact lens for new wearers14.
Contact lenses with aspherical optics can be extremely beneficial for subsets of your patients. By recommending a CooperVision® lens, you can be confident you are offering options in support of visual acuity, lens comfort, and eye health ‡.
Sources:
* Warning: UV-absorbing contact lenses are not substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear, such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses, because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. Patients should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed.
† Based on 166 participating eye care professionals in a multi-national online survey, 2016.
‡ With higher oxygen delivery than hydrogel materials, SiHy materials minimize or eliminate hypoxia-related complications during daily wear.
1. Kollbaum PS, Bradley A, Thibos LN. Comparing the optical properties of soft contact lenses on and off the eye. Optom Vis Sci. 2013 Sep;90(9):924-36. doi: 10.1097/01.opx.0000434275.93435.da. PMID: 23969894; PMCID: PMC3902057.
2. Abass A, Stuart S, Lopes BT, Zhou D, Geraghty B, Wu R, Jones S, Flux I, Stortelder R, Snepvangers A, Leca R, Elsheikh A. Simulated optical performance of soft contact lenses on the eye. PLoS One. 2019 May 14;14(5):e0216484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216484. PMID: 31086372; PMCID: PMC6516737.
3. Richdale, K, Cox, I, Kollbaum, P, et al.BCLA CLEAR – Contact lens optics. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. Volume 44, Issue 2, 2021, Pages 220-239,ISSN 1367-0484,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2021.02.005
4. Mrochen M, Büeler M. Asphärische optiken: physikalische grundlagen [Aspheric optics: physical fundamentals]. Ophthalmologe. 2008 Mar;105(3):224-33. German. doi: 10.1007/s00347-008-1717-z. PMID: 18309494.
5. Read SA, Vincent SJ, Collins MJ. The visual and functional impacts of astigmatism and its clinical management. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2014 May;34(3):267-94. doi: 10.1111/opo.12128. Epub 2014 Mar 18. PMID: 24635572.
6. Patel, N, Edmonson, L, Edmonson, W. Masking Cylinder with Aspheric Soft Lenses. Contact Lens Spectrum. Published 1, July 2004. Retrieved July 28, 2022 from https://www.clspectrum.com/issues/2004/july-2004/masking-cylinder-with-aspheric-soft-lenses
7. Bennett, Edward. Bifocal and Multifocal Contact Lenses. Contact Lenses (2019). Retrieved 29 July, 2022 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702071683000131
8. Fernandes PR, Neves HI, Lopes-Ferreira DP, Jorge JM, González-Meijome JM. Adaptation to multifocal and monovision contact lens correction. Optom Vis Sci. 2013 Mar;90(3):228-35. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e318282951b. PMID: 23376896.
9. Kajita M, Muraoka T, Orsborn G. Changes in accommodative micro-fluctuations after wearing contact lenses of different optical designs. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020 Oct;43(5):493-496. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.03.003. Epub 2020 Mar 19. PMID: 32201056.
10. CVI data on file, 2021. US industry reports and internal estimates.
11. CooperVision data on file 2021. Rx coverage database; 14-70 years.
12. CVI data on file. Based on stocked and MTO product range available in the US and Europe as of June 2021.
13. Based on manufacturers published data. clariti 1 day has Dk/t of 86. Compared to Proclear 1 day (Dk/t 28), 1-day Acuvue Moist (Dk/t 25.5), Dailies Aquacomfort Plus (Dk/t 26) and Biotrue ONEday (Dk/t 42).
14. CVI data on file, 2022. Verve Online Survey with US ECPs who fit clariti® 1 day or private label version. n=121 (77% strongly agree/agree).
