Contact Lenses

Educate Astigmatic Patients: Contact Lenses Are for Them

By Jason R. Miller, OD, MBA

Many astigmatic patients assume that contact lenses aren’t for them. Let them know that new CL technology makes them prime candidates for this effective and comfortable option.

Contact lens patients are an important part of most optometric practices. Since annual examinations are required to renew contact lens prescriptions, contact lens patients are some of the most loyal patients a practice can have, and most also will make a purchase of at least one pair of eyeglasses every few years, if not every year. For that reason–and more importantly, for the patient’s quality of life–it is a shame to see any patient who could benefit from contact lenses not wearing them.

One group of patients that often was discounted in the past as good candidates for contact lenses are those with astigmatism. Fortunately, new contact lens technology used in products such as Air Optix for Astigmatism, gives astigmatic patients a nearly equal chance to patients without astigmatism to find long-lasting comfort in contact lenses. The key is educating these patients that contact lenses are for them regardless of their astigmatism. Here is how I let astigmatic patients know that they, too, can wear contact lenses.

Astigmatic Patients are Key CL Demographic

Our contact lens patients are very profitable to our practice as they are more regular about receiving eyecare than other patients. Tapping into your astigmatic patient base is very important as they may have had a bad experience with contact lenses in the past, but with new contact lens design and technology, they are now great candidates for contacts.
I would estimate about one-third of our patients are in astigmatic contact lenses.

Don’t Prejudge; Discuss CLsWith All

I discuss contact lenses with everyone. Some astigmatic patients are surprised they have options to consider now because some were told they were not good candidates by other eyecare providers, and most are excited to try them. Many did not realize they can even wear daily-replacement contact lenses that correct their astigmatism.

Don’t Prejudge; Discuss CLsWith All

I discuss contact lenses with everyone. Some astigmatic patients are surprised they have options to consider now because some were told they were not good candidates by other eyecare providers, and most are excited to try them. Many did not realize they can even wear daily-replacement contact lenses that correct their astigmatism.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A Jobson Research study indicates that patients, not doctors, most commonly initiate discussion of possible contact lens use. For details on this, and for additional data on high levels of interest in contact lens wear by various age group, consult the MBA’s Best Practices of Contact Lens Management (pages 25-27), which can be downloaded from the MBA web site. Click HERE to access.

Ask Astigmatic Patients to Give it Another Try

I encourage skeptical astigmatic patients to give contacts at least one more try. I discuss the improvements in technology, stressing how many contact lenses are much more comfortable and provide astigmatic patients with better, more stable vision than in the past.

Explain Why It Will Be Different This Time

This is a very important discussion. I explain how the lenses are made with the newest soft lens technology which provide the highest level of oxygen to the eye while they are wearing them along with improved stabilizing features. The new lenses stabilize quicker and no longer have issues with patients’ vision fluctuating throughout the day.

Fitting Process Easier

We discuss the fitting process upfront with every patient. I let them know it may take me an extra visit or two to fine tune their contact lens prescription, but many lenses fit perfectly from the start. That way, they understand if I need them to return if I have to make some changes, but also feel good if we hit the bull’s eye with the first lenses.

Let Astigmatic Patients Know If Fees Are Higher

We discuss fees upfront. We don’t want there to be any surprises. I will touch on the fact that the astigmatic contact lenses are a little more expensive due to the technology needed to stabilize them on the eye, but the added cost is very minimal ($10 to $15 extra per box) compared to spherical contact lenses.
Train CL Techs to SupportYou in Fitting Astigmatic Patients

Our contact lens technicians are very educated on the lens technologies and can answer many questions the patients have. If they are not sure, they make a note and ask their doctor to clarify. We have “demo” eyeballs in each exam room with a large spherical contact lens and toric contact lens which we can use to show the patient how these lenses settle on their eye to provide them with the clearest vision.

We provide education to our staff through regular staff meetings and encourage them to attend educational seminars like the EastWest Eye Conference in Cleveland every year.

Drop-Out Rate Higher But Greater Loyalty

I would estimate the dropout rate to be a little higher with astigmatic patients versus spherical contact lens patients. Most new toric lenses provide stable vision for most astigmatic patients, but there will always be outliers for whom the new lenses do not work. There are rare occasions where the patient struggles with comfort or vision or the handling of these lenses and just decides they are not for them.

That said, most of your astigmatic patients will do well in contact lenses, and will remember the doctor who finally gave them the chance to have an alternative to wearing glasses. If you take the time to provide specialized care for these patients, they are likely to refer patients back to you.

Related ROB Articles

Tap Opportunity: Daily Replacement Lenses for Astigmatic Patients

Serve Astigmatic CL Patients: Prescribe Newest Toric Lenses

Keep Contact Lens Patients Comfortable in Their Lenses…and Keep Them in Your Practice

Jason R. Miller, OD,has been in practice 11 yearsand is in a partnership private practice with Tamara M. Kuhlmann, OD, MS, atEyeCare Professionals of Powell, Ohio. Contact: jasonrmiller@columbus.rr.com.

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