Why I'm moving ot extreme H2O

Optometric Management, Jun 2002 by Sims, John W

Comfort for my dry eye patients sold me on this lens.

A couple of years ago I was introduced to a high-water, non-ionic contact lens called Extreme H^sub 2^O. As a hyperope with dry eyes, I found that most lenses performed poorly on my eyes, so I welcomed the opportunity to experiment with a new soft contact lens claiming to have a unique water retention capability that provided wearers with 16hour comfort.

Good for me, good for you

I was pleased with the results I experienced with Extreme H^sub 2^O lenses. Therefore, I began to use the lens in my practice as a secondary fitting choice, targeting patients with dry eye problems. Soon, however, due to my own experience and the consistent, predictable performance of Extreme H^sub 2^O on my patients, this product became my first choice for patients with appropriate cornea sizes and curvatures.

What it is

Hydrogel Vision Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Benz Research & Development, Sarasota, Florida, manufactures the Extreme H^sub 2^O lens. Made of hioxifilcon A, a proprietary material created by Benz, the non-ionic, protein-resistant lens contains 59 % water and retains its high water content all day, providing excellent optics and comfort. And it's reliable. I can count on reproducibility, knowing that each lens ordered will perform as well as the last.

Who benefits?

Patients with dry eye problems, who shied away from contacts, are finding that they can wear Extreme H^sub 2^O lenses. Extreme H^sub 2^O offers contact lens dropouts the incentive to give contact lenses another try. I trial fit these patients contralaterally with Extreme H^sub 2^O in one eye and a different brand in the other. Nearly every time, Extreme H^sub 2^O wins the "fit test."

I prescribe a 2-week replacement modality for this lens. Because it's easy to handle, it works well for my monovision patients. Easy handling characteristics also allow me to feel confident prescribing the lens to children as young as 10 years, if the parents and I agree on the child's maturity and commitment to responsible lens care. Patients can use virtually any 11 cold" disinfection system with Extreme H^sub 2^O, which helps ensure better lens care compliance.

The business side

Ease of ordering replacements is more important to my contact lens patients than price. They're attracted to third-party replacement outlets that offer 24-hour ordering.

As a service to prescribers of Extreme H^sub 2^O lenses, the company offers patients 24-hour online or telephone ordering, adding convenience and rapid replacement to the patient satisfaction package.

Our Web site has a hyperlink to the Extreme H^sub 2^O site. Patients can order lenses using pin numbers available only through us.

Why not give it a try?

In addition to solving dry-eye problems, providing end-of-day comfort and clear vision, Extreme H^sub 2^O is competitively priced through volume discounts. And finally, the company doesn't sell to mass merchandisers or thirdparty outlets. This keeps lens marketing in the hands of independent eyecare professionals only.

So give the Extreme H^sub 2^O lens a try - I think you'll like it. OM

BY JOHN W. SIMS, O.D.

DR. SIMS PRACTICES AT NAPER GROVE VISION CARE IN NAPERVILLE, IL, WITH HIS PARTNERS LAURA A. GIANCOLA, O.D.; THADDEUS S. DEPUKAT, O.D.; FA.A.O.; BRADLEY V. KAMPSCHROEDER, O.D.; AND JEFFREY G. ROBINS, O.D. HE'S A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY, THE AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, THE ILLINOIS OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND THE WEST SUBURBAN OPTOMETRIC SOCIETY.