Acuvue Oasys Contact Lens Offers Relief

When driving, people focus on the road and blink less frequently. This state of concentration causes eyes to blink about three times less than normal, according to studies. "For contact lens wearers, long, non-blinking phases may cause the surface of their contact lenses to dry quickly, which can lead to discomfort and a loss of visual clarity," says Michael Slusky, OD, a Chicago-based optometrist. Sunny, dry, or windy conditions, and the use of air conditioning, also can quickly cause contact lenses to become dry and uncomfortable. "To reduce eye strain and distribute the tear film, redirect air vents away from the eyes, wear sunglasses during the day, and remember to blink normally," he advises.

Last year, a record 34 million travelers hit the road and the airways during Labor Day weekend, and this year the numbers are predicted to be even higher, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). For contact lens wearers, hours spent behind the wheel of a car or flying can add up to eyes that feel tired and dry.
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Air travel can also cause discomfort to the eyes of contact lens wearers. Pressurized cabins dehydrate the air and rob the eyes of moisture needed for comfortable lens wear. As a result, many passengers often use rewetting drops or take out their contacts in favor of glasses during the flight. Reading on the flight, though a good way to pass the time, can exacerbate the situation since reading also reduces the blink rate, which in turn may lead to eye discomfort and a loss of visual clarity.

VISTAKON®, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. has just launched ACUVUe OASYS Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR(TM) PLUS, a breakthrough for contact lens wearers when their eyes feel tired and dry in these and other challenging environments, such as long hours of computer use or everyday exposure to heated or air conditioned surroundings. It is a daily wear contact lens that features an improved formulation of the unique HYDRACLEAR(TM) technology that combines high-performance base materials with a moisture-rich wetting agent. ACUVUE OASYS contact lenses block greater than 96 percent of UVA rays and 99 percent of UVB rays, meeting the highest UV- blocking standards for contact lenses. *

In clinical studies with more than 190 contact lens wearers, patients wearing ACUVUE OASYS reported consistently clear, crisp vision and noted that their eyes remained fresh and moist, even in challenging environments. Three out of four (75 percent) study participants also noted that they did not need rewetting drops while wearing ACUVUE OASYS.

JetBlue Airways flight attendant Maureen Gaffney used to go through a bottle of rewetting drops a week with her old contacts, but recently switched to ACUVUE OASYS. "When I'm wearing ACUVUE OASYS, I hardly notice I'm wearing contacts," she said. Gaffney averages 70 hours in the air per month.

Dr. Slusky offers these tips for air travelers: "To keep eyes (and body) hydrated, drink plenty of water long before you get on the plane. Don't drink too much alcohol or caffeine as these are also dehydrating. If reading on a flight, periodically stop, blink and close your eyes for a minute."

ACUVUE OASYS Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR PLUS are indicated for daily wear vision correction. As with all contact lenses, eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop. Some wearers may also experience mild irritation, itching or discomfort. Lenses should not be prescribed if patients have any eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Consult the package insert for complete information. For further information, call 1-800-843-2020 or visit www.acuvue.com.