Contact lens approved for use as bandage lens

Jacksonville, FL-A contact lens (Acuvue Oasis, Vistakon) has received FDA approval for therapeutic use as a bandage lens for certain acute and chronic ocular conditions.

“The wettability, smoothness, flexibility, high [level of] oxygen transmissibility, comfort, and Class I [ultraviolet light]-blocking properties of [the lens] make it an excellent choice for therapeutic use as a bandage lens for a range of conditions,” said Sheila Hickson-Curran, director, medical affairs, Vistakon.

William B. Trattler, MD, a cornea specialist at the Center for Excellence in Eyecare, Miami, and a volunteer assistant professor at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, said, “Under certain conditions, the use of a silicone hydrogel lens like [this lens] can help protect the cornea from exposure or repeated irritation often caused by rubbing during the wound-healing process and [can] assist in pain relief. For my patients, I have also found that [this lens] works wonderfully as a bandage contact lens for laser vision correction, as it reduces discomfort.”

A retrospective clinical study of 43 patients fit with the lens demonstrated that its use is effective for the reduction of corneal exposure, pain management, barrier protection, and prevention of recurrent damage, according to the company.  No safety issues were observed.

The recent FDA approval includes these uses:

• Corneal protection in lid and corneal abnormalities (such as entropion, trichiasis, tarsal scars, and recurrent corneal erosion) as well as corneal protection from exposure or repeated irritation related to sutures or ocular structure malformation, degeneration, or paralysis.

• Corneal pain relief in conditions such as bullous keratopathy, epithelial erosion and abrasion, filamentary keratitis, and post-keratoplasty.

• Service as a barrier during the healing process of epithelial defects such as chronic epithelial defects, corneal ulcer, neurotrophic and neuroparalytic keratitis, and chemical burns.

• After refractive surgery, lamellar grafts, corneal flaps, and additional ocular surgical conditions.

• Structural stability and protection in “piggyback” lens-fitting in cases in which the cornea and associated surfaces are too irregular to allow for corneal rigid gas permeable lenses to be fit. Also, to prevent irritation and abrasions in cases in which elevation differences exist in the host/graft junction or in which scar tissue is present.

The lens can be worn continuously for up to 6 nights and 7 days when used as a therapeutic lens. It also is indicated for daily wear vision correction and may be worn consecutively for up to 6 nights and 7 days of extended wear as recommended by an eye-care professional.