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GP Lens Institute Newsletter | Mar 25, 2022 | |
This newsletter is kindly sponsored by: | |
Specialty Lenses and their Resources | |
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In our March newsletter we are emphasizing specialty lenses, both the resources that can help achieve patient success through the GP Lens Institute and from the March webinar, entitled “Enhancing Specialty Lenses Through Performance-Enhancing Drugs” presented by Dr. Mile Brujic. Dr. Brujic is a partner in Premier Vision Group, a successful four location optometric practice in northwest Ohio. He is a noted author and lecturer and is currently vice-chair of the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and an Advisory Board member of the GPLI.
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SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION:
Enhancing Specialty Lenses Through Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO
| Dr. Brujic discussed – using outstanding graphics – the following six cases in which pharmaceutical agents served as an excellent adjunct to specialty contact lenses resulting in successful contact lens wear. | |
CASE ONE: “The Man Who Wanted More”
History: 66 yo male with a history of conreal injury causing longstanding corneal irregularity and 20/60 VA OS. Previous corneal GP lens wear but problems with dislodgement. Ptosis OU.
Management: Scleral lenses were successfully fit and also helped slightly with the ptosis. Prescribing Oxymetazoline (.1%) acts at Muller’s muscle to lift the upper lid and resulted in a great reduction in ptosis. Figure One)
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CASE TWO: “Can You Make My Vision Clearer and My Eyes Less Dry”
History: 67 yo female with history of RK OU resulting in hyperopia and moderate astigmatism OU. With RK scars, mild corneal staining inferiorly, and loose lid apposition while working at a computer 8 – 10 hours a day, dryness is understandably a problem. He has failed with both soft lenses and corneal GPs.
Management: Scleral lenses with the highest Dk material available accompanied by Tangible Hydra-PEG, were successfully fit. He used InflammaDry to assess level of dry eye and recommends it for all dry patients due to quick duration, one time use only, can be performed by your technician, and detects elevated levels of MMP-9 in the tear fluid.
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CASE THREE: “Bigger Isn’t Always Better”
History: 58 yo male with keratoconus who is currently wearing 9.0mm overall diameter GP lenses. He has concerns about night-time driving. It is apparent upon evaluation that he is viewing – in part – through the peripheral curves and experiencing flare.
Management: The lenses were increased to 10.2mm. (Figure Two) In addition, brimonidone (either higher strength with Alphagan or lower strength with Lumify) can be prescribed to further minimize glare.
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CASE FOUR: “Sjo Me the Vision”
History: 68 yo Sjogren’s Syndrome patient who has pseudophakia OU. They are experiencing difficulty with vision and ocular comfort. Significant corneal staining is present and they are currently using artificial tears.
Management: The patient was fit into scleral lenses with the use of Nutrifill for optimum compatibility with the ocular surface. In addition, a drop of Regener-Eyes was added to the bowl of the lens as it provides cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines to provide regenerative properties for severe dry eye patients. The patient was advised to remove the lenses mid-day to repeat this process.
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CASE FIVE: “The Rough Wearer”
History: a 33 yo male keratoconic patient (OD > OS) was referred for a specialty lens fitting. His best corrected vision was 20/200 OD due to large central scar and 20/60 OS.
Management: He was fit into scleral lenses with a hydrogen peroxide care system supplemented with Tangible Hydra-PEG to optimize lens cleanliness. This was supplemented with one of the many antihistamine-mast cell stabilizers he discussed in the lecture. If necessary a steroid ung qhs can be considered later.
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CASE SIX: “He Wants It All”
History: 48 yo male with a bilateral penetrating keratoplasty was referred for a specialty lens fitting. He had failed with both corneal GP and hybrid lenses.
Management: He was successfully fit into scleral lenses. He called the office a few months ago concerned about vision loss and concerns of corneal rejection. He was experiencing very good vision and the fit was optimum. He is having difficulty seeing at near due to emerging presbyopia. Both the multifocal contact lenses and over-readers options were discussed and not found favorable. Therefore, he was prescribed the first US Food and Drug Administration approved drug for presbyopia, vuity, which is 1.25% pilocarpine and is doing well.
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SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES:
Highlighting Your Partner in a Successful Specialty Lens Fit – Your CLMA Laboratory Consultant
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The most successful contact lens specialists have several important qualities including:
A passion for contact lenses and to improve the quality of a patient’s life with specialty lenses
A drive for life-long learning in contact lenses, often achieved by fellowship – and better yet becoming a Diplomate – in the American Academy of Optometry
A willingness to try different types of lenses such that you can match patient to the most appropriate contact lens treatment modality
Frequent communication with their laboratory consultants
The laboratory consultant can guide you through every part of the specialty lens selection, fitting, and troubleshooting process as no one knows their lens better than they do. The GPLI enlisted the assistance of over 20 exceptional laboratory consultants to answer the most commonly asked questions asked by eye care professionals (ECPs). These pertain to what benefits can a laboratory consultant provide; what information should you provide to a consultant; what resources do they have; what lens material should they use; managing surface wettability issues; and common questions that pertain to high astigmatic/bitoric design, multifocals, keratoconus, sclerals, and corneal reshaping.
The “Laboratory Consultants FAQs” can be found HERE.
In addition, the CLMA laboratory directory can be found HERE.
| Orders shipped to the US only - 200 of each complimentary including shipping | |
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
| WELCOME TO OUR INCOMING ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS | |
Jennifer Harthan, OD, FAAO, FSLS
Chicago, Illinois
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Cristina M Schnider, OD, MBA, FAAO
Vancouver, Washington
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Moshe Schwartz OD, FAAO
Owings Mills, Maryland
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Ashley Wallace-Tucker, OD, FAAO, FSLS
Manvel, Texas
| Do you have an inspiring or success story to share? Email it to [email protected] to have it featured in a future newsletter! | | |
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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!!
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Thank you again to our newsletter sponsors | |
GP Lens Institute | www.GPLI.info | (402) 465-4122 | (800) 344-9060 (US & Canada) | | | | |
