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GP Lens Institute Newsletter | July 28, 2023

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A VERY SPECIAL 25^TH ANNIVERSARY FOR GPLI

From August 10^th to 12^th, the GPLI will hold their 25^th annual Cornea and Contact Lens Residents Symposium at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. There will be approximately 40 residents and fellows attending this workshop-based program which will be accompanied by 10 hours of online courses emphasizing specialty contact lenses from renown experts. It’s important to note that access to this online library is a GPLI Eye Care Professional Member benefit. The residents will also be provided with a three-hour live program on specialty lenses the week before the program. They will also be able to interact with many of the CLMA laboratory representatives who are kind enough to support the meeting and provide lenses for the workshops and donate trial sets to the residents. Most important, we will celebrate the 25^th anniversary all day Saturday. With no less than 75 former residents (and their guests) who had attended a previous symposium in attendance, we are hosting a COPE-approved CE symposium on the future of contact lenses and a dinner with an entertaining program coordinated by Associate Director Tom Quinn in the evening. The entire program is again coordinated by Ursula Lotzkat and Wink Productions.

The GPLI ECP Membership program continues to progress with almost 700 members. Next month on August 15^th we will have a COPE-approved program, complimentary to members, entitled, “Approaching the Toric Cornea with Orthokeratology” presented by Dr. Melanie Frogozo. Recently we had two outstanding webinars, both in the same week. On July 18^th, Dr. Tiffany Andrzejewski presented on the topic of “Hybrid Advancements, Applications, Fitting, and Problem-Solving” as our monthly webinar for eye care professionals. On July 20^th, Dr. Madison Moss presented on “Simplifying Scleral Lens Fitting” as our quarterly webinar for students. The webinar from Dr. Moss would also serve as a great primer for any practitioner interested in incorporating scleral lens fitting into their practice.

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION Part 1:

"Hybrid Advancements, Applications, Fitting, and Problem-Solving"

Dr. Tiffany Andrzejewski

Evolution of Hybrids Through This Year

Today’s lenses have UV-blockers, a very strong hyperbond between the two materials making tearing almost impossible, the availability of a HydraPEG coating, and the use of use of hyperpermeable GP and SiHy soft materials.

Why Hybrids?

Benefits with the irregular cornea, presbyopia, and healthy corneas due to centration, vision, and initial comfort
Hybrids versus sclerals
Hybrid Pro’s and Con’s

Hybrids in Normal Eyes

3^rd generation recently introduced
Meant for normal, prolate corneas and all new fits (2^nd generation recommended for habitual wearers and those with high cylinder)
Customized base curve, and linear skirt
Large OZ range
Results in better centration, less lens tightening, and easier removal
Fitting can be empirical; simply input Ks, HVID, and the Rx into their calculator
Ideal fit: can use fluorescein; desire central alignment/mild clearance

Hybrids for Presbyopes

Several generation designs are currently available

Second generation: aspheric GP center, 3mm CN add zone for moderate-to-advanced presbyopes (adjustable CD zone for emerging-mild presbyopes and myopia management); +1.00, +1.75 & +2.50D adds for CN, +0.75 to +5.00D adds for CD.
3^rd generation (recently introduced): extended depth of focus optics making smooth transition of vision across all distances independent of pupil size; low, medium, and high add powers.
Excellent representative case studies were presented for each category of lenses

Problem-Solving

Decentered lens
Corneal staining
No movement
Awareness
Glare and Halos
Junction causing suction

Hybrids for the Irregular Cornea

Indications
Patient Selection
2^nd generation prolate and oblate designs
Oblate (UltraHealth) has a reverse curve with an inner landing zone and 21 different vaults available; mild apical clearance recommended (i.e., 100 microns initially and should settle 30 – 60 microns)
Basic fitting recommendations are presented
Troubleshooting

Lens Handling

Hybrid Applications for Myopia Management

Results of recent studies

Watch the Webinar

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION Part 2:

"Simplifying Scleral Lens Fitting"

Dr. Madison Moss

This webinar is an excellent one to know the basics of scleral lens applications, design, fitting, care, and problem-solving. It is a great adjunct to the scleral lens resources spotlighted in this newsletter.

Scleral Contact Lens Anatomy

Customization of the Scleral Lens Design

Supplies Needed (required and optional)

Good Candidates for Scleral Lenses

Case History
Refraction
Slit Lamp
Topography
Some cautions with scleral lenses
Challenges with scleral lenses

The Diagnostic Fitting Process

Aforementioned baseline findings
Selecting diagnostic lens
Allow the lens to partially settle and evaluate the fit: 1) Initially 200-300 microns of clearance recommended; 2) Initially evaluate central clearance but evaluate limbal clearance (50 – 75 microns ideal) and the peripheral landing zone; 3) Over-Refraction; 4) Lens Modifications

Troubleshooting

Bubbles
Central touch
Excessive central clearance
Fluid reservoir debris
Limbal touch
Conjunctival prolapse
Edge compression
Excessive edge lift
Lens decentration

Scleral Lens Practice

How to integrate sclerals into your practice
Staff training
Select lens designs via your CLMA laboratory consultants

Clinical Pearls

Watch the Webinar

SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES:

Scleral Lenses

Following up on the excellent webinar from Dr. Moss, this month we will be emphasizing GPLI scleral lens resources. These include the following:

Scleral Lens FAQs Troubleshooting Guide. This 40-page downloadable mini-book includes sections on scleral lens applications, lens design and fitting, problem-solving, lens care, and resources. It has 128 illustrations with contributions from notable GPLI Advisory Board and Scleral Lens Education Society leaders.

Scleral lens sections in both the Contact Lens Clinical Pearls Pocket Guide and the Grand Rounds Troubleshooting Guide

Archived Scleral Lens Webinars. There are no less than 14 archived webinars on scleral lenses in the last five years as given by the foremost experts in the world.

Links to such outstanding scleral lens resources as the Scleral Lens Education Society and the Scleral Lens Fit Scales.

Go to Education by Lens Type

FIND A GP SPECIALIST

We have almost 3000 GP specialists with their area(s) of specialty listed to assist you when you need to refer a patient or for patients looking for a GP specialist, as this resource is also available on our consumer site: contactlenses.org.

If you are interested in signing up to be a referral GP lens practitioner, you can do so here.

Specialties Include:

General GP Contact Lenses

Bifocal/Multifocal Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses for Irregular Corneas

Corneal Reshaping / Orthokeratology

Scleral Lens Designs

Submit Your Practice

Become a Specialty Contact Lens Externship Site

The GPLI is helping establish new externship sites focused on specialty contact lenses. Find advice for successful integration and mentorship, and fill out the interest survey.

Fill Out Interest Survey

For less than 25¢ per day, you can have access to premier resources to help you advance your specialty contact lens practice. Your GPLI ECP Membership also supports the ongoing efforts of the GP Lens Institute. Win-win!

Become a Member

Thank you to our generous Friends of the GPLI and Industry Partners!

View the Donor List

Spotlight on Upcoming Webinars

"Approaching the Toric Cornea with Orthokeratology"

August 15th | 8 PM Central

presented by: Dr. Melanie Frogozo

This activity #126401 is COPE accredited for optometrists. COPE Course ID #85243-CL

GPLI ECP Members: FREE | Non-Members: $15

GP Lens Institute has received commercial support from Acuity Polymers, Inc., Contamac, Euclid Systems Corporation / Visionary Optics, Metro Optics, and WAVE Contact Lens System for this activity in the form of an unrestricted educational grant.

The remainder of this year's webinars are also available for registration. Check out the schedule and register HERE!

About the GPLI

Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FSLS

Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri St Louis College of Optometry

President and Executive Director, GP Lens Institute (GPLI)

The Gas Permeable Lens Institute is dedicated to providing eyecare professionals with unbiased educational and practice-building resources highlighting GP and custom manufactured soft contact lenses.

Please support the educational opportunities provided by the GP Lens Institute. We will continue to support all ECPs, staff and your patients. Be kind, respectful and find happiness within yourself!!