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Shape, August, 2003 by Maryann Hammers

The following basic information about contact lens wear and Focus NIGH & DAY lenses is provided for you by CIBA Vision.

If you are interested in Focus NIGHT & DAY lenses, please see a licensed eye care professional. Based on your individual needs, your eye care professional will determine if Focus NIGHT & DAY lenses are right for you and how many days and nights you can wear them.

What are Focus NIGHT & DAY Soft Contact Lenses?

Focus NIGHT & DAY are soft contact lenses made of lotrafilcon A, a fluoro-silicone material that contains about 24% water. This new lens material provides a high level of oxygen to your eyes and has been surface treated to wet with your tears.

How are Focus NIGHT & DAY Soft Contact Lenses Used?

The lenses are worn on the cornea (front part of the eye) and used to correct vision by refocusing light rays onto the retina (back part of the eye).

The lenses may be used to correct nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). They may be prescribed for:

* Daily wear use - worn only while you are awake

* Extended wear use - worn while you are awake and asleep

* They may be worn for up to 30 nights (one month) of continuous wear based on how your eyes respond to lens wear and your eye care professional's recommendation.

Can everyone wear Focus NIGHT & DAY Soft Contact Lenses for 30 nights of continuous wear?

Not everyone can reach the maximum wear time of 30 continuous nights. During the U.S. clinical study, 1000 of the 1300 eyes dispensed completed the full year of lens wear, with 67% wearing the lens between 22 to 30 days.

Your eye care professional may recommend a shorter wearing time depending on your individual needs, and you should always adhere to his or her recommendations. Once lenses are removed, your eyes should have a rest without lens wear for at least one overnight.

Who should not wear contact lenses?

You should not wear contacts if you:

* Have an eye infection or inflammation (redness & swelling).

* Have an eye disease, eye injury or dryness that interferes with contact lens wear.

* Have a systemic disease that may be affected by or impact lens wear.

* Have a certain types of allergic conditions.

* Are using certain medications, such as some eye medications.

What are the risks of wearing contact lenses for extended wear?

While there are many benefits of wearing contacts, sometimes problems can occur and the risk of serious problems is greater when lenses are worn for extended wear. You should carefully discuss the benefits and risks of extended wear lenses with your eye care professional.

There is an increased risk of developing a serious ocular infection, such as a corneal ulcer. A corneal ulcer may develop rapidly and cause eye pain, redness or blurry vision as it progresses. If left untreated, a scar, and in rare cases loss of vision, may result.

In addition, studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of corneal ulcers for those who wear lenses overnight.

What are other possible side effects of extended wear contact lenses?