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GP Lens Institute Newsletter | June 30, 2023

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CORNEAL GP LENSES ARE STILL VERY IMPORTANT

This month’s webinar, entitled “Corneal GP Evaluation and Problem-Solving” was given by well-known GP authority and clinical researcher, Dr. Cristina Schnider. Dr. Schnider, who in a past life directed corneal GP research at the University of New South Wales in Sydney prior to being the Chief of the Contact Lens Service at Pacific University and ultimately in a high administrative position for Menicon, is well qualified to give this presentation. She was an original member of the GPLI’s nine member Advisory Panel back in the 1990s and currently serves on our Advisory Board. We recently completed a series of 12 virtual meetings with our Advisory Board and they emphasized the need for more corneal GP lens education because of the importance of spherical, bitoric, multifocal, keratoconic, and orthokeratology lens designs. This webinar, in addition to the online resources mentioned in this newsletter and our upcoming module: “I Have a GP Wearer in My Chair: What Do I Do?” should help in gaining more confidence in fitting, evaluating, and problem-solving this modality.

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION:

"Corneal GP Evaluation and Problem-Solving"

Dr. Cristina Schnider

Dr. Schnider’s presentation pertained to the following essential components of successful corneal GP fitting:

Tips for Patient Management

Have a positive attitude
Use anesthetic for initial fitting
Make it easy to adapt in how you communicate to the patient

Pre-Fit Tips: Who are your best patients (low-to-moderate astigmats, prior soft lens complications, desire extended wear)

Solutions to GP Challenges:

Adaptation and comfort
Vision issues
Staining
Lens adherence
Lens surface quality

Fluorescein Evaluation

Wratten filter important
GPLI Click N’ Fit virtual diagnostic fitting set is a valuable resource for learning the effect of lens design changes on the fitting relationship
Topography-based empirical fitting/fluorescein pattern simulations beneficial

Adaptation Comfort

Edge tucked under the upper lid is optimum
If not possible, ensure the edge is not adjacent to the upper lid

3 & 9 O’clock Staining

Good to have a wide (not necessarily deep) tear reservoir peripherally for tear exchange and movement
If chronic and severe, dellen, vascularized limbal keratitis, or conjunctival xerosis can result

Adherence

Steepen base curve radius
Widen/flatten peripheral curve radius
Reduce to daily wear

Lens surface deposits

Surfactant cleaner for lipid removal
Progent for protein removal
Replace frequently (every 6 – 12 months)

Overnight Orthokeratology

Applications and benefits
Resources: www.myopiaprofile.com

Resources for you and your patients

Watch the Webinar

SPOTLIGHT ON UPCOMING WEBINARS:

EYE CARE PROFESSIONAL WEBINAR

Hybrid Advancements, Applications, Fitting, and Problem-Solving

July 18th | 8 PM Central

presented by: Dr. Tiffany Andrzejewski

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

STUDENT WEBINAR

Simplifying Scleral Lens Fitting

July 20th | 8 PM Central

presented by: Dr. Madison Moss

SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES: Corneal GP Lenses

The GPLI has a large number of resources on corneal GP lenses including a number of webinars. Most of these resources can be found HERE. These include the following:

Click n’ Fit: A virtual fitting module

GP Fitting, Evaluation, and Problem Solving: Video series

GP Toric and Spherical GP Lens Calculator: For empirical fitting

Contact Lens Clinical Pocket Guide

GP Lens Case Grand Rounds Troubleshooting Guide: Over 55 unique cases pertaining to spherical, bitoric, multifocal, irregular cornea, and orthokeratology corneal GP lens designs

Fluorescein Pattern Identification Guide

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 through the GPLI ECP Membership program. Your membership also supports the ongoing efforts of the GP Lens Institute. Win-win!

Become a Member

Spotlight on Current Specialty Contact Lens Research

For the latest information on specialty contact lens developments, designs, and clinical research check out the following two publications that you can subscribe to:

I-site is an excellent monthly online journal – edited by GPLI Advisory Board member Dr. Eef van der Worp - which is totally focused or GP lenses, including the latest in clinical research. The most recent issue also focused on the GPLI and can be found HERE.

CL Today, edited by Contact Lens Spectrum Editor Dr. Jason Nichols, is a weekly online publication that includes the most recent developments and clinical research in specialty contact lenses.

Learn About I-site

Visit CL Today

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!!

Thank you again to our newsletter sponsors

STAY CONNECTED

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