No, there is no special magic make em last longer treatment. actually, in the case of Accuves, the dailies (1994) came after the two weeks. (1992).

As I have already explained above, just like in the case of a new DRUG, contact lens manufacturers develop a product, and then head off to the FDA in washington, with an application in their hands, asking for an approval to sell that product. The application states what the maker wants to claim, as to how the lens is to be sold and used. The FDA then approves clinical trials, which the maker conducts, with the help of a group of real life eyedocs the maker asks to participate. if the data from the trials supports the safety and effectiveness of the product, as claimed in the application, the approval is granted, and labeling is approved for whatever the maker asked for.

THEN, if the maker wants to, they can go back to FDA with a DIFFERENT application, using the same product, and seek a different labeling for it. they submit NEW clinical trial data, and get a new approval, just like it was the first time for that lens. And of course, they can charge whatever they like for either one.

What the makers are doing, is to try to use technology they already own, to cover more market niches. A lens which can work for two weeks, and has been sold that way for years, can damn sure also work for one day, if later approved for THAT. therfore, Accuvue 2 was able to go back and get an approval as One-day Accuvue, very easily. Cooper did the same thing with the Proclear lenses. two week lenses also became dailies.

They then explain that they have given the doctors a choice as to how to recommend the lens, based on the labelings. We of course, as doctors, can follow or ignore the labeling, since the FDA doesnt regulate doctors, ("the art and practice of medicine") only products. We DO have to inform the patient if we go "off label" in the advice we give.


What was a bit unusal in the case of O2Optix and AirOptix, to get back to the topic of this thread, was that their second approval was for a longer replacement schedule. Ciba now makes the claim that putting a little bit (1%) of an industrial chemical moisturizer, called Copolymer 845, in the solution it is floating in, makes the lens last twice as long.

The cost difference here is much greater than in your example, $3 a lens for 02Optix vs $6 a lens for AirOptix at costco. if you wear both as FDA labeled, the cost is comparable, but if you were to notice that they are the same design and material, and wear them the same, the cost is doubled if AirOptix is worn. Obviously, it doesnt cost twice as much to make the 'monthly" lenses.

Im sorry that you dont "see how that is legal." Its called "Free Enterprise". And it is fueled and nurtured by partisan politics and big money.

If you are lucky, your eye doctor will be honest with you, and guide your choices as to how you should purchase and wear lenses. You certainly should not count on your government to do that.

You surely must realize that he same thing happens in the case of every DRUG sold in America. I used to Rx an eye allergy medication called Zaditor, which sold for eighty-five dollars for 5ml for many years. Now available as an over the counter drop since last year, the same drug (ketotifen) is sold by B&L as Alaway for about $11 for 10ml.

Always ask your eye doctor for advice, since they should know you and your eyes. They may have good reasons for the choices they help you make.