July-August. 2026 | The HEALTH

EYE HEALTH

• Continuous innovation is helping practitioners meet evolving patient expectations with greater confidence and improved clinical solutions.

• Professional education and industry collaboration enable eye care professionals to stay ahead of emerging technologies and best practices.

• Advances in lens materials are addressing persistent challenges such as end-of-day dryness and prolonged wearing comfort.

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT: The product launch showcased the research and technology underpinning the latest ACUVUE ® OASYS MAX 1-DAY lenses, emphasising their role in enhancing patient comfort and vision quality

Longer working hours, increased screen time and growing expectations for all-day comfort mean ECPs must constantly update their knowledge and expand the solutions available to patients.

For Mega Optometry PJ Founder and Optometrist Leong Chai Hoong, professional education events play an important role in helping ECPs stay current while offering a valuable opportunity to step away from the demands of daily practice.

" All Vision at Johnson & Johnson( Vision, J & J) events are very nice. You get together, you learn something new," he said." The best thing is getting a chance to get away from busy practice and come to learn something new."

The recent launch of ACUVUE ® OASYS MAX 1-DAY Sphere and Multifocal particularly caught his attention, especially the addition of a new multifocal option to the portfolio.

ADDRESSING AN UNMET NEED

Among the newly introduced lenses, Leong believes the multifocal design fills an important gap for many existing contact lens wearers.

According to him, there has long been a sizeable group of patients who require multifocal contact lenses but struggle with comfort as the

Registered under Act 737( GB8880925-202042, GB8236425-203420)

day progresses.

" I think it ' s way overdue," he said. " The multifocal lens is something I ' m really excited about because there is a huge group of underserved customers, those who want to wear multifocal lenses but the lenses cannot last or are not comfortable towards the end of the day."

Having another option available gives ECPs greater flexibility when recommending suitable lenses for patients whose current experience may not fully meet their expectations.

CONFIDENCE BUILT ON EXPERIENCE

Leong said his confidence in recommending the new lenses is rooted in both the ACUVUE ® brand and the company ' s long-standing commitment to research and product development.

Although the product is newly available locally, he noted that colleagues overseas have already shared positive experiences with its comfort.

" MAX One Day is not new. I ' ve heard from my friends who have been fitting it overseas. It ' s very comfortable," he said.

Being part of the ACUVUE ® portfolio also provides reassurance that extensive research, testing and refinement have already taken place before the product reaches ECPs.

VISION AND COMFORT REMAIN ESSENTIAL

After more than three decades of fitting ACUVUE ® lenses, Leong believes the fundamentals of successful contact lens wear have remained unchanged.

" When fitting contact lenses, there are two major qualities," he explained. " One is vision; it has to be clear. The second is comfort. You must be able to wear it for your expected duration."

He believes ACUVUE ® has consistently delivered on both requirements throughout the years.

Today ' s challenges, however, have shifted beyond oxygen transmission.

According to Leong, modern contact lens materials have largely addressed oxygen permeability, while current patient concerns focus increasingly on maintaining lens moisture, shape and comfort throughout extended wear.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING

Beyond product innovation, Leong believes professional engagement remains essential in an era where patients often arrive armed with information gathered online or through artificial intelligence.

" It ' s very important," he said. " Today, most of the things customers get are through the internet or through AI. If an ECP does not stay current with new developments, we risk falling behind."

He also appreciates the opportunity to meet fellow ECPs and exchange ideas during industry events while learning about future developments from Vision, J & J.

Looking ahead, Leong hopes innovation will continue expanding the range of available solutions.

His next wish is clear: toric versions of both the Sphere and Multifocal lenses to better serve patients with astigmatism.

As patient needs continue to diversify, he believes ongoing innovation, supported by continuous education, will remain essential in helping ECPs deliver better eye care.- The HEALTH

" Today, most of the things customers get are through the internet or through AI. If an ECP does not stay current with new developments, we risk falling behind."

- Leong Chai Hoong 2026PP14188