A new
contact lens being released nationwide this week could help reduce dry eyes. It's been in research trials for several months.
Optician Paul Sorg has been wearing
contact lenses for years. Recently, he got to test a new "Aqua Release" lens, about to hit the market.
"I have no day dryness at all with them and at the end of the day, I kind of have to remind myself to take them out," Sorg said.
The molecules on this lens have been rearranged so there's more space for a compound which releases moisture into the eye as you blink.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Carol Bertkel said, "It's polyvinyl alcohol. There is a small amount of polyvinyl alcohol in the regular dailies, but this lens has more, so it gives you more of a washing agent as you go on through the day."
Just like with other daily wear lenses, these are designed to be put in each morning, worn all day, then taken out and thrown away at night. But the difference those in the study say what it feels like during that time.
"Our study was 25 people, 23 of which said much better comfort at the end of the day, two said they really couldn't tell a difference," Bertkel said.
She says there's really not a down side to the lenses, but they must still fit the shape of your eye. They tend to maintain their moisture for at least 12 hours.
The lenses are the same cost as other daily-wear lenses about a dollar a day. They are slightly tinted to aid in seeing them, but are not available yet in colors.
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10-06-2005, 05:50 PM
New Contact Lens Ease Dry Eyes
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