<B><U><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> EDITORIAL BACKGROUND <BR>
</U> CLINICAL RESEARCH: EVALUATION OF VISION-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS WEARING PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES <BR>
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As an education leader in the optical industry, Transitions Optical, Inc., is committed to providing eyecare professionals with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about eyewear and eye health for each patient. As part of this support, Transitions provided an independent grant to New York University’s School of Medicine for clinical research exploring vision-related quality of life and whether a person’s overall visual experience can be enhanced by more than visual acuity. This research was completed June 2001 and published in the July 2002 issue of <I>The CLAO Journal</I> as "Evaluation of Vision-Related Quality of Life for Patients Wearing Photochromic Lenses." <BR>

<B><U> Purpose <BR>
</B></U>To evaluate the impact of new photochromic lens technology on vision-related quality of life. <BR>

<B><U> Methods <BR>
</B></U> Twenty-seven spectacle lens wearers ages 18 and older, with prescriptions ranging from -4.00 to +4.00, <U>&lt;</U>1.50 cylinder, were randomly selected and segregated into two groups. Fourteen patients wore regular, clear lenses for 30 days, and then wore Next Generation Transitions<FONT FACE="Symbol">â</FONT> Lenses for 30 days. Thirteen patients wore the lenses in the opposite order over the same time period. <BR>

At the beginning of the trial, and following each 30-day trial period, patients were asked to complete The Transitions Vision-Related Quality of Life questionnaire (Copyright © 2002 Transitions Optical, Inc.) to evaluate their experiences wearing each type of lens, according to five subscales: Vision Comfort, Daily Activities, Conditions Experienced, Features and Satisfaction. At the end of the study, the patients were also asked which pair of lenses they would like to continue wearing. Sample sizes were large enough to detect clinically meaningful differences between compared lenses, such that there were only five chances in 100 that results were not significant. <BR>

Next Generation Transitions Lenses were selected for this clinical research because their indoor clarity allowed for a direct comparison of the lenses with regular, clear lenses. Any differences in performance between the two lenses could be attributed to the photochromic action without being influenced by an indoor tint. <BR>

<B><U> Results <BR>
</B></U> Results showed that patients experienced a significant improvement in visual comfort and satisfaction with Transitions Lenses over regular, clear lenses outdoors, and had equivalent experiences with both types of lenses indoors. Additionally, four out of five patients preferred the visual comfort of Transitions Lenses over regular, clear lenses. <BR>

Transitions Lenses scored significantly better than regular, clear lenses in:
<UL>
<LI>Reducing eye strain (tearing and burning)</LI>
<LI>Overall lens satisfaction</LI>
<LI>Reducing pain and loss of visual performance due to glare</LI>
<LI>Adjusting from indoor lighting to outdoor lighting</LI>
<LI>Adapting to different lighting conditions</LI>
<LI>Ease of performing outdoor activities</LI></UL>

<B><U> Implications <BR>
</B></U> This research shows that Next Generation Transitions Lenses provide a statistically significant improvement in vision-related quality of life over regular, clear lenses. Both types of lenses provide visual acuity, but Transitions Lenses provide the additional benefit of visual comfort by adjusting to varying light conditions. Patients clearly discern this added benefit, with four out of five preferring the comfort of Transitions Lenses. <BR>

When providing product recommendations to patients, eyecare professionals can offer their patients a more comprehensive solution by addressing both visual acuity and visual comfort as part of the overall visual experience. Recommending Transitions Lenses is one way to enhance a patient’s vision-related quality of life. <BR>

<B><U> UV Protection <BR>
</B></U>Long-term vision protection is also important to a patient’s overall visual experience, and should be considered – along with visual acuity and comfort – as part of vision-related quality of life. <BR />

Transitions Lenses, which were used in this study, provide 100 percent UVa and UVb protection. But not all lenses – not even all photochromic lenses – provide this same level of protection. Eyecare professionals should educate their patients on the dangers of exposure to UV rays, and dispense everyday lenses, like Transitions Lenses, that best serve all aspects of vision-related quality of life: visual acuity, visual comfort and long-term vision protection. <BR>

<B><U> The Transitions Vision-Related Quality of Life Instrument <BR>
</B></U> The Transitions Vision-Related Quality of Life Instrument, used with this research, is a unique tool to measure the overall visual experience, taking into account both visual acuity and comfort. The Instrument was developed by a team of eyecare professionals, statisticians and photochromic scientists in 1999 in the form of a questionnaire and was used as part of a research study in 2000. While other instruments have measured general quality of life, no previous instrument has focused purely on vision-related issues involving daily activities in both indoor and outdoor environments and demonstrated the scientifically meaningful nature of differences measured. <BR>

The five subscales and a "miscellaneous" section of the questionnaire explore various aspects of visual acuity and comfort as follows:

<img src="http://www.optiboard.com/images/Transitions/transtable.gif">

<B><U> Researchers <BR>
</B></U>Susan M. Stenson, M.D., F.A.C.S., was the lead researcher for the clinical studies. As Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine, Stenson has extensive experience in clinical research on the topic of photochromics, leading several previously published studies, including "Variable Tinted Spectacle Lenses: A Comparison of Aesthetics and Visual Performance" (CLAO Journal 2001;27:121-124) and "Effect of Variable Tinted Spectacle Lenses on Visual Performance in Control Subjects" (CLAO Journal 2002;28:80-82). She is a past president of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO) and director of the Contact Lens and Cornea-External Diseases Services at New York University, Bellevue. She has been the recipient of awards from CLAO and from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Stenson is in private practice in New York City. <BR />

Christopher J. Baldy, Ph.D., A.B.O.C., consulted on the research parameters throughout the clinical studies and provided analysis of the results. Baldy has experience in clinical research on the topic of photochromics, having worked on the previously published study, "The Impact of Variable Tint Optics (Transitions Gray) on Vision-related Quality of Life in Normal Volunteers: A Randomized Clinical Comparison in a Warm Climate" (CLAO Journal 2000; 26:225-229). Baldy is a research associate for Transitions Optical, specializing in photochromic chemistry. He serves as group leader of photochromic response testing and as clinical studies technical coordinator. Baldy is also a member of the Transitions Leadership Team. <BR />

Kenneth J. Scherick, O.D., ran the clinical study at his private practice in New York, N.Y. Scherick is Clinical Instructor for the Department of Ophthalmology at New York University and has instructed courses for the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He also served as president of the Optometric Council of New York from 1987 to 1989. <BR>

<B><U> Next Generation Transitions Lenses <BR>
</B></U>Next Generation Transitions Lenses are virtually indistinguishable from regular, clear lenses indoors for uncompromised visual acuity. They have the outdoor darkness of sunglasses and a record-breaking speed of performance. The launch of this breakthrough lens completed Transitions’ offering of the best photochromics across all materials and lens types. All Transitions Lenses are scratch resistant and offer 100 percent UV protection. <BR>

<B><U> About Transitions Optical <BR>
</B></U> Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, was the first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990. The company is the leading supplier of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology and the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names. <BR>

Transitions Optical has manufacturing operations in Pinellas Park; Tuam, Ireland; Laguna, Philippines; Sumare, Brazil; and Adelaide, Australia. Sales offices are located in Toronto, Canada and nine other countries. <BR>

For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada). <br>
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<B> Editor’s Note: For more information about the study findings and implications, or to arrange an interview with the researchers, please contact Courtney Haines at (412) 456-4707 or <a href="mailto:chaines@magnetcom.com">chaines@magnetcom.com</a>.
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