20th May 2009

The J & J new lens combines new generation silicone hydrogel material, patented Accelerated Stabilisation Design, and unique HYDRACLEAR® Plus technology to provide crisp, clear vision and all-day comfort

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care announces that ACUVUE® OASYSTM Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM are now available in the UK and Ireland meaning that Eye Care Professionals can confidently offer their astigmatic patients clear, consistent vision and comfort throughout the day.

“Astigmatic patients are more concerned with vision quality than spherical patients and are more likely to experience visual problems outside of the consulting room”, says David Ruston, Director of Professional Affairs at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. “If you ask them, current toric lens wearers report situations of blur throughout their daily activities and only one-third are very satisfied with their current toric lenses*. Therefore the active lives of our astigmatic patients demand more from their lenses, particularly in challenging situations such as more extreme gaze or head tilt”.

ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM offers a winning combination, allowing more patients to choose a lens that enables them to live their lives with fewer moments of blurry vision and in excellent comfort. No other toric lens offers your patients all these benefits.

Peter Ivins, contact lens specialist at Black & Lizar, comments, “With the ACUVUE® OASYS™ material (senofilcon A) delivering again in astigmatic form, for me it’s going to become the Gold Standard of toric lenses.”

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care already innovated the toric lens segment with the introduction of a unique patented technology, Accelerated Stabilisation Design (ASD) found in ACUVUE® ADVANCE® Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM and 1•DAY ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM.

Unlike traditional ballasted lens designs, ASD harnesses the natural pressures of both lids during blinking to balance the lens in place and quickly realign the lens if it rotates out of position. In a recent peer reviewed study ASD was also found to be significantly more stable than a leading ballasted lens during certain important eye functions**.

Sue Sidebottom, of Vision Express, remarks, “The Accelerated Stabilisation Design means that patients needn’t worry about the lens rotating out of place, which gives them not only better comfort, but better vision as well. So, compared to a normal prism ballasted lens design, it’s far superior.”

ACUVUE® OASYS™ for ASTIGMATISM helps to keep eyes feeling moist and fresh even in challenging environments such as using a computer, driving at night etc. The lens also utilises the exceptionally comfortable silicone hydrogel material, senofilcon A, which makes the lens ultra moist as tears spread more easily and evenly across the surface of the lens compared to traditional hydrogel material.

This new lens also offers high oxygen transmissibility providing 98% of all oxygen that would be available to the central cornea if no lenses were worn at all. In addition to all these benefits, ACUVUE® OASYSTM for ASTIGMATISM offers a 2 weekly replacement schedule and Class 1 UV protection, the highest UVA and UVB blocking of any soft toric contact lens in today’s market.

HYDRACLEAR® Plus is the improved formulation of the unique HYDRACLEAR® technology that combines high performance base materials with a moisture-rich wetting agent. All this results in a new lens that offers clear, consistent vision and comfort throughout the day.

Elaine Pitts, Marketing Director of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in the UK and Ireland, commented, “ACUVUE® OASYSTM for ASTIGMATISM combines the benefits of ASD design, senofilcon A material with UV blocking and HYDRACLEAR® Plus Technology. It offers outstanding visual acuity and fit for astigmatic patients, providing clear, consistent vision and comfort throughout the day. We are confident that no other toric lens has all the benefits of ACUVUE® OASYSTM for ASTIGMATISM”.