Chip: CL Question

[Jo]

Chip:

We had a woman in yesterday; she has worn contacts in about 10 years. Up intil 10 years ago she had worn RGP lenses for many, many years. She had been told her eyes had gotten sensitive to lenses; her upper lid had become inflamed and raw.

After seeing her MD the other day she was told she could possibly wear lenses today. Now, I know she does not want soft lenses. Can she wear lenses again because of the amount of time that has passed since her problem with the RGP's or is there a new lens that would be tolerable for her? Do you think the Dr. is going to try to talk her into a soft lens?

[chip anderson]

Patient probably has GPC (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis) from deposits on lenses. Can probably still wear RGP's if: New lenses, you check patient and lenses every 3 mo. Buff an polish any time deposits found on lenses, anterior an posterior (assumes that you can do a good polish job with out aberrating lenses). Ask the doctor (assuming he is one who is not on an ego trip and will listen to us technical types) to treat the patient with optichrom or similar medication.

Also note: GPC is usually more of a problem with soft lenses so do not use them for a cure, unless they are of the type "formerly guaranteed by SBH against deposits for 12 mo. or disposable (even then I don't think this is best remedy).

Also note: GPC is almost never a problem with PMMA (I can see you and the doctor cringing) lenses.

Chip

[Jo]

OK, I've got another one for you. Can you give me a run down on the Boston Lens that is a combination lens, both hard and soft lens; all I know about it is that I believe you can't even use Boston solutions on it?

PS - I told you once I started the new job that I would need you. Thanks for your advice on the first question. You are the Contact Lens Master.

[chip anderson]

Jo: I am embarrised to say, I haven't heard of such a lens from Boston. Will try to find out today.

The only morphodite lens that I know of currently on the market is the one from SBH. With an RGP center and a soft skirt. Origionaly called Saturn and now the name excapes me for the moment.

Chip

[chip anderson]

Checked with my suppliers and GuRu's they don't know about anything coming from Boston. But there is a new lens in Canada now probably coming soon, but is just a "molded more flexable 13 mm lens". Called the Epi~somthing-or-other.

I am sure that it is guaranteed "to be more wonderfull that what we have had and revolutionize the industry." As have so many forgotten things that have gone before.

Chip

[Jo]

With an RGP center and a soft skirt

That sounds like the lens I meant. Maybe I had the manufacturer wrong. Do you know what solutions you should use with this lens? I think I heard that the common solutions for hard lenses will damage it.

[chip anderson]

JO: I don't know anything except rumors of this lens so far. Allergan/Hydron had a pure flourocarbon lens some years back, and Breger had pure silicone 1 each of hard and soft, all have pretty much disappeared..

Would advise: Never look for some technology/advertizing gimic to prove out. Few do.

Chip

[Canadian Eyeguy]

Chip/Jo

The lens formerly known as the "Saturn" evolved into the "SoftPerm" from SBH and is still offered by W/J.

It has a styrene-based rigid center and a hydrogel periphery. It's an interesting alternative in the "problem-solver" category of lenses, though moderately expensive.
Hope this helps,
G.

Originally posted by chip anderson:
Jo: I am embarrised to say, I haven't heard of such a lens from Boston. Will try to find out today.

The only morphodite lens that I know of currently on the market is the one from SBH. With an RGP center and a soft skirt. Origionaly called Saturn and now the name excapes me for the moment.

Chip



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[Jo]

Chip & Canadian Eyeguy:

Thanks you guys are right. I was able to catch a few minutes with the Doc this morning and that was the lens. He had a pair still hanging around the office. I guess he tried them awhile back and stopped ordering them because of problems with the lens pulling apart.