Multiple CooperVision-authored and sponsored investigations have been selected for the 2021 American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting scientific program, which takes place this week in Boston. Included alongside the extensive collection of optometric research from global experts are works that advance knowledge in presbyopia, myopia management, and contact lens comfort.

“The American Academy of Optometry meeting traditionally attracts some of the most visionary and clinically-relevant research in our field, and this year is proving no different,” said Francis Erard, Vice President of Research & Development for CooperVision. “Our papers and posters regarding some of the most pressing subjects in optometry—addressing presbyopia with new technology, slowing the progression of myopia, and exploring new dimensions in contact lens comfort—are as relevant to the research community as they are to eye care professionals (ECPs) worldwide.”

- Advancing Multifocal Contact Lens Technology for Presbyopia

Approximately 2 billion people worldwide are presbyopic and only one in four contact lens patients have had a multifocal contact lens recommended to them. In helping patients have optimal vision as they age, the multifocal category also offers substantial untapped revenue growth for eye care professionals.

In Influence of near addition power on the acceptance and performance of progressive contact lenses (Guillon M, et al.), the authors contend many ECPs believe that multifocal contact lenses perform well, produce good levels of vision satisfaction, and maintain binocularity in emergent presbyopes, yet generally fail in advanced presbyopes. Their investigation of CooperVision’s new MyDay® daily disposable multifocal contact lenses with the new Binocular Progressive System™ found that vision satisfaction, visual performance and binocularity was maintained throughout the near addition range, which should change long-held perceptions.

Fitting success with a multifocal lens across two randomized controlled clinical studies (Sulley A, et al.) presents data that illustrates efficacy of the CooperVision Binocular Progressive System™ for MyDay® daily disposable multifocal. Eye care professionals can successfully fit 98% of patients with two pairs of MyDay® multifocal lenses or fewer when following the fitting guide. These results will provide greater confidence among eye care professionals by reducing the amount of trial lenses used and chair time.

A study believed to be the first of its kind isolates factors that influence patient satisfaction with daily disposable silicone hydrogel multifocal contact lenses. In Relationships between success factors in daily disposable multifocal lenses (Guthrie S, et al.), the investigators report that while end-of-day comfort and dryness are important to success, satisfaction with vision was a better indicator of people’s desire to continue wearing a multifocal lens in the future.

Another original study demonstrated that wearing a non-dominant multifocal scleral lens design in both eyes shows better near visual acuity and stereopsis compared with other combinations. Effect of different dominant and non-dominant MF scleral CL combinations in vision quality (Carracedo G, et al.) also demonstrated that the same combination provided outstanding stereopsis, similar to a monofocal scleral lens.

- Leading the Way in Myopia Management

CooperVision is a world leader in myopia control and management, with the success of its products underpinned by evidence-based research and advocacy.

In what is expected to be one of the most-attended paper sessions at Academy 2021, Paul Chamberlain will present Myopia progression in children on cessation of dual-focus contact lens wear: MiSight® 1 day 7-year findings. Representing the culmination of the seven-year MiSight® 1 day clinical trial, children who had worn the innovative contact lens over several years discontinued use during the final 12 months. Based on the trial data, researchers found no evidence of a rebound effect, meaning the myopia control benefit is maintained after treatment ends.

A companion poster—Myopia control treatment gains retained after termination of dual focus contact lens wear with no evidence of a rebound effect (Hammond D, et al.)— compared mean axial length growth rates to predicted rates using established myopia eye growth models. The outcomes demonstrate that children aged 8 to 12 at the initiation of treatment would still be reaping myopia control benefits into their teenage years. When they ceased wearing MiSight® 1 day, eye growth matched what was expected for their age. This efficacy has only been established for MiSight® and may not be generalized to other optical myopia management products.

Resulting from a CooperVision collaboration established earlier this year, Development and introduction of World Council of Optometry resolution on myopia management standard of care (Block S, et al.) amplifies the intent and actions designed to encourage optometrists to more widely embrace this fast-emerging practice. The partnership is establishing multi-lingual myopia management resources to actively address the requisite challenges on the required scale.

- Exploring New Dimensions in Contact Lens Comfort and Clinical Management

A leader in advancing the science of contact lens comfort, CooperVision will delve into several studies during Academy that enhance clinical practice.

Impact of proactive management on contact lens wearers with symptoms and minimal signs (Guillon M, et al.) finds that switching wearers experiencing dryness to a new daily disposable lens had more impact than treatment of mild tear film and/or ocular tissue anomalies. The authors state while it is common for ECPs to switch symptomatic monthly and two-week replacement wearers in to a 1 day contact lens, it may be less intuitive yet highly effective to switch from an older 1 day lens into a more technologically-advanced 1 day silicone hydrogel option.

In The development of ocular discomfort in neophyte contact lens wearers (Situ P, et al.), the research team demonstrates how diverging patterns of comfort and dryness ratings can help identify neophyte wearers who are at greater risk of persistent or worsening discomfort within the first one to three months of use. The data also suggest that patients who are asymptomatic at a one-month follow-up visit are likely to remain so. These insights can lead to better early management by ECPs and reduced drop out.

A third comfort study followed symptomatic adults who resumed soft contact lens use after ceasing wear. Insights into symptomatology following a period of temporary contact lens discontinuation (Basuthkar S, et al.) discerned frequency and timing for recurring symptoms such as dryness, discomfort, and irritation. ECPs are advised to continuously monitor the occurrence of these symptoms proactively and manage them at onset to help prevent subsequent drop out.

“We are enthusiastic about our capacity to translate such an incredible amount of knowledge from paper to practice during the American Academy of Optometry meeting, continuing our commitment to conducting evidence-based research and making it accessible to the eye care community,” said Erard.

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