Product spotlight

1. Working together to make an impact 2. Minimising impact of drops and solutions facilities 3. Supporting patient education on myopia

Contact lens focus

1

Plastic neutrality initiative expanded

Last year, CooperVision pioneered the world’s first plastic neutral contact lenses by funding Plastic Bank’s collection, processing and reuse of general oceanbound plastic waste equal to the weight of the plastic contained in designated CooperVision products in North America and Europe.

Eyecare professionals and contact lens wearers can now view the programme’s collective impact using a new Plastic Neutrality Dashboard at plasticneutral.coopervision.com/eng

“For CooperVision, plastic neutrality is about making a meaningful, measurable difference in partnership with eyecare professionals and wearers," said Simon Seshadri, CooperVision senior vice president of global marketing. "By simply prescribing and wearing our plastic neutral lenses, they’re making an impact. With our Dashboard, everyone can see for themselves how these contributions quickly add up. It displays the eye-opening amount of ocean-bound plastic we’ve recovered to date and the local communities we’ve empowered — working together."

CooperVision expects to prevent the equivalent of nearly 90 million plastic bottles from reaching Earth’s oceans in 2022.

2

Landfill certification first achieved

Alcon has become the first healthcare company to achieve zero waste to landfill certification from GreenCircle environmental assessors. The rating applies to two ophthalmic drops and solutions facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and one in Singapore. The three supply products to markets around the world.

“Alcon teams continually focus on innovative ways to streamline our manufacturing processes to reduce operational waste, and I’m extremely proud to achieve GreenCircle certification as a testament to our commitment,” said Ed McGough, Alcon senior vice president, manufacturing and technical operations.

The three facilities manufacture many of Alcon’s over-the-counter eyecare products, including Opti-free, AOSept Plus and Clear Care contact lens solutions. They also make Systane dry eyedrops and Pataday allergy eyedrops.

Alcon’s Fort Worth Aspex site also manufactures surgical procedural and pharmaceutical eyedrops as well as BSS, a sterile intraocular irrigating solution commonly used during surgery.

GreenCircle is recognised by the US federal government, the US Green Building Council, the International Living Future Institute and the Association of Plastic Recyclers.

3

Getting the conversation going

No7 Contact Lenses has launched a myopia management information pack to help its EyeDream orthokeratology contact lens customers disseminate facts about myopia through their own marketing channels. "Taking action at the early stages of a child’s myopia progression could have a critical effect on the future health of their vision, so I believe we are obligated to help our patients understand these facts,” said Katie Harrop, No7’s professional services director and key opinion leader on myopia management.

The pack includes myopia management patient leaflets, an infographic practice poster, window sticker, a web pack and social media content.

“We want this message to meet as many eyes and ears as possible, and we need our customers to help do that," said. "By posting to their social channels, building a web page, giving the poster pride of place and popping up the window sticker, they can get the message out. But, most of all, we want customers to use these materials to start a conversation, engage with their patients about myopia management, share the facts, and let them make informed decisions,” Katie concluded.

No7 customers wanting to participate can register for the campaign at www.no7contactlenses.com/myopiamanagement-may

4. Supporting a greener future

5. Next generation material and advanced technologies 6. Holistic approach to managing myopia

Myopia management, innovation in one-day silicone hydrogels and sustainability initiatives are in the spotlight this month as we round-up the latest news from the contact lens sector...

Eco packaging move for lens deliveries

As part of a broader commitment to reduce its environmental footprint, Johnson & Johnson Vision is removing the plastic pouches currently placed on the outside of European Acuvue deliveries, and in the UK, and using stickers instead.

Jacqueline Henderson, Johnson & Johnson Vision EMEA area vice president, said: “At Johnson & Johnson Vision, we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and finding sustainable solutions. This is why we’ve made the decision to optimise our packaging by removing plastic pouches and using stickers instead. It may seem like a small step, but it’s significant – even minimal changes to dayto-day processes can make a huge impact in the long run and help contribute to a healthier planet.”

This latest move will support Johnson & Johnson’s overall journey towards its 2030 net zero target. The business says it has saved 42,000 tons of CO2 annually through renewable and energy efficient programmes and moving to 100 per cent renewable electricity in 2022, three years ahead of target. It predicts that replacing delivery notes inside orders without external packaging will save approximately 10 tons of plastic across Europe every year.

5

Fulfilling the unmet needs of wearers

Making its UK optical trade show debut at 100% Optical recently, new Bausch + Lomb Ultra One Day is designed to fulfil the "unmet needs of contact lens wearers".

According to a consumer symptoms survey of 318 silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lens wearers, commissioned by Bausch + Lomb and undertaken in April 2019: 82 per cent of respondents were interested in a contact lens that could help prevent or reduce dryness; 74 per cent had settled for less comfort in order to wear lenses the entire day; and 74 per cent blamed their own lifestyle for eye issues, not their lenses.

Ultra One Day contact lenses feature a next generation contact lens material (kalifilcon A) and the company's Advanced MoistureSeal and ComfortFeel technologies, which release moisturisers/conditioners, osmoprotectants and electrolytes to help protect, enrich and stabilise the tear film. "Bausch + Lomb Ultra One Day brings a higher standard of innovation to the contact lens category," said Thomas J. Appio, president, Bausch + Lomb/International.

6

Complete portfolio for myopia management

The Menicon Bloom Myopia Control Management System offers a holistic approach to myopia control management that can easily be incorporated into children’s routines, says the company.

The portfolio includes Menicon Bloom Night orthokeratology contact lenses for myopia control, CE-approved and designed for overnight use. Manufactured in hyper oxygen-permeable Menicon Z rigid material for optimal corneal oxygenation, the lenses are said to provide comfortable and safe contact lens wear. The daytime lens option is Menicon Bloom Day, a centre-distance multifocal daily disposable.

Menicon Bloom also provides practitioners with Easyfit software to accurately guide the fitting process. It comes with a mobile app, Menicon’s Virtual Doctor, to enhance monitoring and communication between patient and practitioner.

Training and e-learning modules are available for practitioners to become certified Menicon Bloom specialists, as well as marketing materials for in-practice use.

NEXT MONTH'S PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Children's eyewear