UV-absorbing contact lenses earn commendation

Boston-Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. 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 the World Council of Optometry (WCO) Global Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet (UV) Absorbing Contact Lenses. The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA) in Boston.

"In awarding the Global Seal of Acceptance, the WCO Global Commission on Ophthalmic Standards [WCO GCOS]...has determined that the Acuvue Advance and Acuvue Oasys brands meet established, recognized, and accepted standards that are adopted by the WCO GCOS," said Robert Chappell, WCO president. "These include published standards of International Standards Organization [ISO] and American National Standards Institute [ANSI]."

The ISO and ANSI standards classify UV-blocking contact lenses in two groups based on the lens' absorptive capacity at its minimum thickness. Class 2 UV-blockers must absorb at least 70% of UVA and more than 95% of UVB radiation. Class 1 UV-blockers must absorb a minimum of 90% UVA and at least 99% UVB radiation. Only products that meet those standards may claim to be UV blocking. All three Acuvue lens products previously received the AOA Seal of Acceptance for UV Absorbers/Blockers.