Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., today announced that its ACUVUE� ADVANCE� with HYDRACLEAR�, ACUVUE� ADVANCE� for ASTIGMATISM, and ACUVUE� OASYS� with HYDRACLEAR� PLUS Brand Contact Lenses are the first contact lenses to receive a Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses from the American Optometric Association’s Commission on Ophthalmic Standards. The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA) in Las Vegas.
In awarding the Seal of Acceptance, AOA’s Commission on Ophthalmic Standards, which provides independent evaluation of ophthalmic related products, determined that the ACUVUE� ADVANCE� and ACUVUE� OASYS� brands meet AOA specifications for ultraviolet absorbing contact lenses. These specifications are in accordance with published standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Standards Organization (ISO).
The ANSI and ISO standards classify UV-blocking contact lenses into two groups based on the lens’s absorptive capacity at its minimum thickness. Class 2 UV-blockers must absorb at least 70 percent of UVA and more than 95 percent of UVB radiation. Class 1 UV-blockers must absorb a minimum of 90 percent UVA and at least 99 percent UVB radiation. Only products that meet these standards may claim to be UV blocking.
“Not all contact lens lines offer UV protection, and, of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels,” explains Pat Cummings, OD, vice president, Professional Affairs, VISTAKON. “All ACUVUE� Brand Contact Lenses offer effective UV-blocking, and among contact lens brands, ACUVUE� ADVANCE�, ACVUE� ADVANCE� for ASTIGMATISM, and ACUVUE� OASYS� with more than 90 percent of UVA rays and 99 percent of UVB rays blocked*� are the only lenses to achieve Class I UV blocking status.”
Experts say it is difficult to isolate the exact amount of damage that UV imposes on the eye over a long period of time. However, a number of studies have shown that the effects of UV radiation are cumulative and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, two leading causes of reduced vision in the United States.
Because they cover the entire cornea and limbus, UV-blocking contact lenses offer an added level of protection when worn with UV blocking sunglasses. While many sunglasses will block UV rays that enter through the lenses, most do not prevent unfiltered rays from reaching the eyes through the sides, as well as the top, and/or bottom, of the glasses. Due to their inability to block these peripheral rays, some sunglasses block as little as 50 percent of all UV radiation from reaching the eyes.
“It is just as important to block these peripheral UV rays,” warns Dr. Cummings. “UV-blocking contact lenses provide added protection by effectively blocking sunlight that may enter the cornea from the top, bottom or sides of the glasses.”
Although UV-blocking contact lenses provide important added protection for patients, they should not be viewed as a stand-alone solution. Contact lenses should always be worn in conjunction with high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for maximum UV protection for the eyes.
ACUVUE� ADVANCE� Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR�, ACUVUE� ADVANCE� for ASTIGMATISM and ACUVUE� OASYS� Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR� PLUS are indicated for daily wear vision correction. ACUVUE� OASYS� may also be worn for up to six consecutive nights/seven days of extended wear as recommended by an eye care professional.
Contact lenses should not be worn for longer periods than recommended by an eye care professional. 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 worn if the wearer has an eye infection or experiences eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If these conditions occur, the wearer should contact their eye care professional. Consult the patient information guide available from your doctor for complete information. For further information, talk to your eye care professional or call 1-800-843-2020 or visit acuvue.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
The VISTAKON division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., specializes in disposable contact lenses which it markets under such brand names as ACUVUE�, ACUVUE� ADVANCE� with HYDRACLEAR�, ACUVUE� ADVANCE� for ASTIGMATISM, ACUVUE� OASYS� with HYDRACLEAR� PLUS, ACUVUE� and ACUVUE� 2; 1-DAY ACUVUE�; ACUVUE� BIFOCAL; ACUVUE� TORIC and ACUVUE� 2 COLOURS�.
ACUVUE�, ACUVUE� ADVANCE�, HYDRACLEAR�, ACUVUE� OASYS�, ACUVUE� 2 COLOURS� and VISTAKON� are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
� Helps protect against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye.
* WARNING: UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed. NOTE: Long term exposure to UV radiation is one of the risk factors associated with cataracts. Exposure is based on a number of factors such as environmental conditions (altitude, geography, cloud cover) and personal factors (extent and nature of outdoor activities). UV-Blocking contact lenses help provide protection against harmful UV radiation. However, clinical studies have not been done to demonstrate that wearing UV-Blocking contact lenses reduces the risk of developing cataracts or other eye disorders. Consult your eye care practitioner for more information.