Frequently Asked Questions

Does CIBA VISION comply with all applicable environmental policies?

The Safety, Health and Environment Policy of our parent company states: "The safety and health of our employees, neighbors and customers, and the protection of the environment, are major concerns. We do not compromise that for economic or productivity gains. We comply with all Safety, Health and Environment laws and regulations. If we believe that the local laws and regulations are not stringent enough, we apply our own ‘internal guidelines’."

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Does CIBA VISION have an on-line ordering tool for eye care professionals?

Licensed eye care professionals, with an account with CIBA VISION, may use our online ordering tool, at http://easi.cibavision.co.uk.

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What is the difference between CIBA VISION’s coloured cosmetic lenses?

CIBA VISION offers three types of coloured contact lenses - lenses that change, enhance or illuminate eye colour. For people with dark eyes who want to change their eye colour, CIBA VISION offers lenses such as FreshLook Colorblends^®, which utilise a unique 3-in-1 technology that blends three colours into one to create the subtle, natural depth of beautiful eyes. FreshLook Colors is also available as a single colour dot-matrix print pattern for a more noticeable eye colour change.

For light-eyed individuals who want to enhance the colour of their eyes, CIBA VISION offers FreshLook Dimensions^™, the new generation of colour contact lenses that enhance and define eye colour with an innovative outer starburst pattern on the lens that instantly gives eyes a bigger, brighter, and completely natural look. Also available are the Focus^® SoftColors^® lenses, a solid colour print pattern for a natural enhancement to the eye.

For people with light or dark eyes that want to illuminate their eyes without changing their natural colour, CIBA VISION offers FreshLook Radiance^®, the first lenses available that add beautiful pearlescent effects to both light and dark eyes to give sparkle and shine to a person’s natural eye colour.

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What are AIR OPTIX^® NIGHT&DAY^® Soft Contact Lenses?

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

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How are AIR OPTIX^® NIGHT&DAY^® Soft Contact Lenses used?

The lenses may be used to correct nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). They may be prescribed for daily wear use - worn only during waking hours - or extended wear use - worn for up to 30 nights (one month) of continuous wear based on how your patient’s eyes respond to lens wear and your professional recommendation.

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Can everyone wear AIR OPTIX^® NIGHT&DAY^® Soft Contact Lenses for 30 nights of continuous wear?

Not everyone can reach the maximum wear time of 30 continuous nights and days. 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. As an eye care professional, you may recommend a shorter wearing time depending on the patient’s individual needs, and they should always adhere to your recommendation. Once lenses are removed, the patient’s eyes should have a rest without lens wear for at least one night.

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

An inflammation of the cornea called infiltrative keratitis is a potential side effect. During the one-year U.S. study, about 5% of the 1300 eyes experienced this type of side effect. Other less serious side effects were conjunctivitis and lid irritation or discomfort while wearing the lenses, including dryness of the eye and mild burning or stinging.

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What if I have other questions about AIR OPTIX^® NIGHT&DAY^® Soft Contact Lenses?

Please speak to your CIBA VISION sales representative.

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Do you offer contact lenses for bifocal wearers?

Yes. CIBA VISION markets Focus^® Progressives soft contact lenses for individuals with presbyopia. Focus Progressives provide good vision at near, intermediate and far distances without the hassles of bifocals or reading glasses. The unique lens design allows the patient to focus smoothly and clearly at all distances, without the jumps and distortions bifocals typically provide. Without causing lines or segmented vision zones, Focus^® PROGRESSIVES eliminate the need for awkward, unnatural head movements, providing clear, comfortable vision at all distances. Focus^® PROGRESSIVES are available as a frequent replacement lens for up to one month, or as Focus DAILIES PROGRESSIVES^®, a one-day disposable lens that does not require any lens care. Our CIBASOFT^® Progressive Toric lens is also available for presbyopes with low to moderate (up to -2.75D) astigmatism.

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Do you offer any promotional offers or free trials for first time users of your lenses?

CIBA VISION periodically offers many different promotional offers and free trials during the year on our various products. Check with your CIBA VISION sales representative for details on any offers available in your area.

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What are mucin balls?

Mucin balls are tiny translucent spheres of mucin formed from the gradual movement of the lens across the tear film. Mucin balls have been documented to occur with many types of lenses, and some patients tend to be more prone to exhibit them. Flatter fits and steeper corneas are believed to show a greater occurrence of mucin ball debris. (See reference 1). They often leave a temporary imprint in the epithelium, which may pool with fluorescein for a short period of time. REFERENCE: 1 : Tan J, Keay L, Jalbert I, et al. Mucin balls with Wear of Conventional and Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses. Optom Vis Sci 2003 Apr;80(4):291-7

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How do you treat mucin balls?

There are no known contraindications when mucin balls are present; however, steepening the fit when possible may help reduce their presence.

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What is AOSept Plus?

AOSept Plus is a one bottle, no rub, peroxide-based lens care solution without the preservatives found in many all-in-one solutions. It provides proven effectiveness of peroxide in a convenient one-bottle, no rub system.

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How does AOSept Plus work?

AOSept Plus has a built-in cleaner, as well as hydrogen peroxide, to penetrate the lenses for a deep cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide itself offers triple-action cleaning power through oxidation, bubbling action and ionic displacement. AOSept Plus also helps prevent serious eye infections by killing harmful microorganisms on contact lenses

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How is AOSept Plus different from multipurpose solutions?

AOSept Plus is a one-bottle, no rub, hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning and disinfecting solution with none of the added preservatives or harsh chemicals found in multi-purpose solutions. In fact, after the six-hour neutralization process is complete, the lenses will be soaking in a gentle, sterile saline similar to tears.

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What types of chemicals remain on the lens after using AOSept Plus?

None. The hydrogen peroxide in AOSept Plus is neutralised during the six-hour soaking process so that the remaining solution is a sterile saline without preservatives that is similar to natural tears.

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What causes the neutralizing reaction between the disc and the solution?

The hydrogen peroxide in the solution reacts with the platinum in the disc to create the neutralization process, which is completed in six hours.

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If the lenses do not soak for the full six hours can they hurt the eye upon insertion?

The lenses must soak in AOSept Plus for the entire six hours to ensure completion of the neutralization process otherwise burning and stinging will result.

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How does AOSept Plus effectively clean without rubbing the lens?

AOSept Plus has a built-in cleaner, as well as hydrogen peroxide, to penetrate the lenses for a deep cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide itself offers triple-action cleaning power through oxidation, bubbling action and ionic displacement. AOSept Plus meets the two tests established by the FDA; the primary criteria of the Stand Alone Test and the Regimen Test, for disinfecting solutions in order to be approved as a no-rub lens care solution. AOSept Plus also helps prevent serious eye infections by killing harmful microorganisms on contact lenses.

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Why doesn’t AOSept Plus cause symptoms of dryness and discomfort like some multipurpose solutions?

Many multipurpose solutions contain added preservatives that may cause dryness and discomfort for contact lens wearers. AOSept Plus does not have added preservatives. In fact, after the six-hour neutralization process is complete, the lenses will be soaking in a gentle, sterile saline similar to tears. Clinical research shows patients experience more comfort and less irritation when they use AOSept Plus.

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What should a patient do if they accidentally put un-neutralised AOSept Plus into their eye?

In brief, recommend the following: Rinse and don’t worry. Have the patient rest their eyes if possible. More specifically, in the event that un-neutralised hydrogen peroxide is mistakenly put onto a contact lens or inserted directly into the eye, the patient should remove their lenses immediately and flush (rinse) the eye with a large amount of sterile saline solution or water (if no saline is immediately available). Though there are no long-term effects to temporary exposure to un-neutralised hydrogen peroxide, residual redness and irritation may last approximately 24 to 48 hours. If burning or irritation persists, assistance should be sought from an eye care professional. For more than 25 years, hydrogen peroxide has been safely used as an effective disinfectant and natural preservative in contact lens care and eye care products. When used properly, contact lens disinfection solutions that contain hydrogen peroxide are fully neutralised into a gentle, saline solution with a pH similar to natural tears.

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How can different patients with different Rxs end up with the same Focus^® PROGRESSIVES trial lens?

An example of the above case may be:
Patient A has a spectacle Rx of -3.50 D with an add of +1.00 D.
Patient B has an Rx of -4.50 D with an add of +2.50 D.
Both patients require a Focus^® PROGRESSIVES trial lens of -3.00 D.

It is important to understand how the formula and chart were derived in order to explain which trial lens power is appropriate for the corresponding distance Rx and BiFocal add. The first step was to record and tabulate clinical results from fitting thousands of patients with this lens design. By analyzing these results, we were able to establish a fitting chart which best predicted the correct trial lens power to be used with every spectacle power and add combination available. In order to simplify fitting even further, we were able to establish a mathematical relationship between the initial trial lenses and the original distance Rx and add power. The relationship can best be described by the equation: Vertexed spherical equivalent distance Rx + 1/2 add power. By applying this to all powers we can accurately predict the final power to within +/- 0.25DS.

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What are the advantages of Focus^® PROGRESSIVES?

Focus^® PROGRESSIVES allow patients excellent near, intermediate, and distance vision with less ghosting than is present in concentric lens designs.

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Will emerging presbyopes be affected by so much near power (up to +3.00D)?

An emerging presbyope still has good accommodation, but needs a little help in reading. The progressive nature of the Focus^® PROGRESSIVES lens allows the patient to "select" the amount of add that is right for them. As the patient loses the accommodative ability, they will use more of the higher lens power. This system avoids the emerging presbyope from being over-corrected at near.

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Does the pupil size have an effect on the success rate of the Focus^® PROGRESSIVES^® lens?

Yes, but no more than other multifocal simultaneous vision lenses. The average pupil size of 2-4 mm is optimal. The ideal patient has a pupil size no larger than 4 mm in normal room illumination. Centration plays an important role as well. If someone has small pupils and the lens centres over the pupil, then one could expect some compromise at distance. Usually there is slight lens decentration so this is not encountered frequently.

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What is the effect of ocular dominance with Focus^® PROGRESSIVES^®?

Most practitioners will prefer to prescribe more minus to the distance dominant eye. We recommend that the practitioner subjectively assess which eye is better for distance and nearby using hand held trial lenses. The traditional sighting test for distance is not of great predictive value.

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What is the success rate of Focus^® PROGRESSIVES^®?

Eye care professionals report a success rate between 50%-80%. The success rate of an individual practitioner is dependent on a number of different patient factors, including past experience with other presbyopic corrections, motivation, needs and expectations. A practitioner’s success rate will dramatically improve by clearly identifying patients’ needs and correcting for those needs. An excellent question to manage patient expectations and introduce them to this lens is: "How would you like to reduce the time you have to wear reading glasses by 85%?"

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What features do Focus DAILIES^® with AquaComfort^™ have that will discourage noncompliance with the daily disposable regimen?

In the development of Focus DAILIES^® with AquaComfort^™, we tested the response to the lens when worn for more than one day to be assured that if patients did abuse the recommended replacement schedule, no harm would come to them. What we found was that the lens was safe to be reused, however many things discourage patients from reusing it.

The first is comfort. The initial comfort advantage that Focus DAILIES^® with AquaComfort^™ has over other lenses disappears quickly when patients try to stretch the wearing schedule. The average initial comfort rating drops about 24% on the second day of wear, and continues to drop with each subsequent day.

The second reason is durability. Since nelfilcon A is a material that was designed specifically for daily disposable contact lenses, and they may tear when handled too frequently. Elongation at break is a measure of how far the lens material can be stretched before tearing (e.g. 100% would mean that the lens could be stretched twice its normal size before tearing). Our metrology department measures the elongation at break for the Focus DAILIES^® with AquaComfort^™ lens to be 30%, compared to 86% for 1-Day Acuvue^®.

In addition, the sustained release of PVA will not continue into a second day so further reducing comfort if reused.

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I find it difficult to locate the scribe marks on Focus^® Toric lenses. Do you have any helpful hints to aid in locating them?

Tips that have proven useful in locating the Focus^® Toric scribe lines include medium to bright indirect illumination with a thin horizontal or vertical beam (depending on the scribe mark you are examining), up and down or side to side movements with the beam, and use of the cobalt filter.

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What is the replacement schedule for Focus^® Monthly lenses?

It is customary for a manufacturer to include a recommended replacement schedule for its products in the product package inserts, fitting guide booklets, and in some cases on the packaging itself. Such recommendations provide a reference point for those eye care professionals who are looking for such information. Although CIBA VISION includes a baseline recommendation for scheduled monthly replacement for Focus^® Monthly^® lenses, the actual replacement frequency for your patient should be based upon your clinical examination of the patient, professional judgment and clinical experience with the lenses.

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