12 Eye Health
12 Eye Health
The HEALTH | July-August . 2024
Enhancing vision comfort
Johnson & Johnson ’ s commitment to making vision possible
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
ASTIGMATISM is a common but often misunderstood vision problem . It affects over 2.5 million Malaysians . Yet , despite its prevalence , only one per cent of these individuals are using astigmatic contact lenses for correction .
Dr Shirley Loh , Vision Care STAR Cluster Professional Education & Development Associate Director , Johnson & Johnson ( J & J ), emphasised the significance of prioritising astigmatism in J & J ’ s eye care initiatives .
“ According to research , there are over 2.5 million people with astigmatism in Malaysia , but only one per cent are corrected with astigmatic contact lenses ,” said Dr Loh .
This indicates that many Malaysians may be missing out on optimal vision correction and lifestyle options , which could impact their work , studies , hobbies , and social activities .
J & J ’ s efforts involve partnering with professional associations , government institutions , and media to raise eye care standards , including the professional prescribing and correction of astigmatism .
One of J & J ’ s key objectives is to tackle misconceptions surrounding astigmatism .
“ One of the biggest misconceptions is that astigmatism cannot be easily corrected with speciality contact lenses . Over half of Malaysians have never tried this speciality contact lenses , and a third have no awareness of them .
“ Another misconception is that lower astigmatism , of around 0.75 to 1.25 diopters , need not be corrected , leaving many people suffering from symptoms like
Dr Shirley Loh headaches and eye strain ,” Dr Loh noted .
ADVANCEMENTS IN TORIC CONTACT LENSES DESIGN
Contrary to the belief that astigmatic or toric contact lenses are difficult to fit or uncomfortable , modern toric lenses are designed to address these concerns effectively .
“ These toric contact lenses have a stabilising technology to ensure they stay at the right angle when worn , significantly improving comfort and stability .
“ Recent advancements mean these toric contact lenses now fit almost as quickly as regular spherical contact lenses and harness the natural power of eye blinks to provide crisp and stable vision .”
J & J ’ s dedication to innovation in vision care , particularly for astigmatism , is evident in their product offerings .
“ We continue to innovate in the area of astigmatic contact lenses . Our unique eyelid stabiliser design is incorporated into daily , bi-weekly , and monthly contact lenses , allowing more patients to experience the benefits .
" ACUVUE contact lenses for astigmatism have an average first-fit success rate of 95 per cent , which is excellent for both patients and practitioners .”
Patient and healthcare provider feedback is at the core of J & J ’ s product development .
“ All of our innovation starts from insights provided by healthcare providers and patients .
“ Our research and development focus on eye-inspired design , studying the complex physiology and anatomy of human eyelids . This approach has enabled us to create ACUVUE contact lenses that provide visual acuity as good as spectacles ,” she explained .
ROLE OF EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS
Dr Loh underscored the crucial role of Eye Care Professionals ( ECPs ) in expanding the use of toric contact lenses .
“ ECPs ’ recommendation remains the top reason why potential contact lens wearers choose toric contact lenses , with a current rate of 62 per cent .
“ Proper education and explanation of the fitting procedure and benefits of astigmatic contact lenses technology can provide the reassurance needed for patients to trial these contact lenses and potentially improve their vision and lifestyle significantly .”
Dr Loh concluded with a message to practitioners : “ Fitting astigmatism contact lenses is a rewarding part of optical practice .
“ Sharing with someone that they have astigmatism for the first time and seeing the improvement in their symptoms is incredibly satisfying for both the patient and practitioner . ECPs are in the best position to provide this lifechanging aspect to their patients .”
J & J ’ s comprehensive approach to addressing astigmatism highlights the company ’ s commitment to improving vision care and making vision possible for millions .
Through ongoing innovation and collaboration with eye care professionals , J & J continues to lead the way in providing effective solutions for astigmatism . – The HEALTH
MY PD390 2024PP1422