Ocular Sciences: new disposable aspheric contact lens
Ocular Sciences has announced the introduction of a new disposable aspheric contact lens that corrects for spherical aberration in both the lens and the patient's eye, resulting in sharper, crisper vision for contact lens wearers.
The product, marketed under the Biomedics Premier brand and other private labels, is now being launched in the United States and Canada, and will be available internationally in the near future.
Spherical aberration is caused by light being refracted at varying angles as it passes through the optical components of both the contact lens and the patient's eye. Without the appropriate correction, light rays will not focus precisely on the back of the patient's eye. The Biomedics 55 Premier simultaneously corrects for spherical aberration in the contact lens and in the patient's eye.
According to industry data, in the United States alone, it is estimated that the market for spherical contact lenses is more than $800 million and that they are worn by more than 80 percent of the 34 million disposable contact lens patients.
'Our revolutionary technology will provide patients with a new standard in visual clarity', said Stephen J. Fanning, President and Ceo of Ocular Sciences. 'The positive feedback we have received from our clinical trials and from doctors regarding our new lens' superior characteristics has been very encouraging. We believe that the momentum that is being generated by the launch will have a positive impact on our long-term U.S. sales growth'.
'According to eye care practitioners that have fitted patients with our new lens, the visual outcomes have been outstanding', continued Mr. Fanning. 'Our new aspheric lens also incorporates patented technology making its edge uniquely rounded, thinner, and therefore more comfortable to wear. This advantage coupled with the fact that eye care practitioners will likely not have to refit current Biomedics patients in order to start them on a Biomedics 55 Premier regimen should put us in a position to build our market share within the sphere market,' concluded Mr. Fanning.
