Patient and practitioner perspectives on PureVision continuous wear lenses

Abstract

Although silicone hydrogel lenses have only recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for up to 30 days of continuous wear, in Europe contact lens practitioners have been prescribing the lenses for this modality since 1999. To date there have been few reports in the literature relating to practical experience with the lenses or their acceptance in everyday practice. Attitudes toward Bausch & Lomb PureVision lenses, when used for up 30 nights continuous wear, were assessed among 1,339 patients and 255 practitioners in 11 European countries. Evaluation forms were completed for each of four wearing periods up to the 1-month aftercare visit. The lenses showed high levels of acceptance by patients and practitioners. The results also indicate growing acceptance of continuous wear as both groups gain experience with the lens.