CIBA
VISION PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 2001
Focus NIGHT & DAY lenses are available in
more than 40 countries throughout the world and more than 250,000
patients have worn the lens for up to 30 continuous nights
and days. In addition, CIBA Vision has amassed more than 2,000
patient-years of clinical experience with Focus NIGHT & DAY,
making it one of the most thoroughly researched contact lenses
in history. CIBA Vision's most recent U.S. FDA clinical trial
involved 1,395 patients who were seen at 59 different investigation
locations throughout the country. The stringent trial ran for
a year and tested the safety and efficacy of the lens.
"Focus NIGHT & DAY lenses also are a good
alternative to laser vision surgery for the millions of individuals
who desire around-the-clock clear vision but who are not good
candidates for the procedure or who are averse to it because
of its high costs, invasiveness, non-reversibility and potential
complications," Heap said.
Focus NIGHT & DAY lenses are made from a revolutionary,
new, fluro-silicone hydrogel material that supplies six times
more oxygen to the eye (an oxygen transmissibility of 175 Dk/t)
than ordinary disposable lenses and 40 percent more oxygen
than the minimum threshold (125 Dk/t) recognized by independent
researchers for overnight wear of lenses. The unique, biocompatible
properties of the lenses also help minimize deposit buildup
over time.
Insufficient oxygen compromises normal eye
function and may cause the cornea to swell. While minimal swelling
is common during sleep, even in people who do not wear contact
lenses, sleeping in ordinary contact lenses substantially reduces
oxygen supply to the eyes which can cause the cornea to swell
significantly and often results in very irritated eyes and
uncomfortable lens wear. In research studies users wearing
Focus NIGHT & DAY lenses experienced minimal swelling similar
to those wearing no lens at all and significantly less limbal
redness than is typically seen with soft contact lens wear |
