Contact Lenses

Patients Using Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions = Greater Compliance

By Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO

SPONSORED CONTENT

*Content sponsored by Alcon

In my practice we see hundreds of contact lens patients each week, and for those with contact lenses requiring cleaning, I almost always recommend hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide solution, like CLEAR CARE PLUS, ensures a clean lens every morning, and, better yet, use of hydrogen peroxide solutions correlate with greater patient compliance with proper wear and care regimens.3

Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions Mean Clean Contact Lenses That Stay Comfortable

Hydrogen peroxide systems are an excellent way to provide a clean, healthy lens each day. Studies have indicated superlative disinfection and an improvement in surface wettability of contact lenses when using hydrogen peroxide solution.

With exceptional cleaning, my patients are able to both see more clearly and wear their contact lenses more comfortably for more hours each day. Clear Care Plus has the added benefit of superior wettability with HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology.2, 1

Hydrogen Peroxide Users Are More Compliant

In a study investigating the relationship between contact lens care systems and compliance from the University of Waterloo, it was found that patients who used hydrogen peroxide systems were more compliant than those who used MPS solutions. Interestingly, hydrogen peroxide users returned more frequently for eye examinations than multipurpose users, but not as soon as daily disposable contact lens wearers.3
In addition, hydrogen peroxide users were more likely to adhere to the recommended contact lens care regimen compared with multipurpose users. (H202: 79% vs MPS: 34%, p<0.01). Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide users were more compliant with practitioner recommended lens care recommendations compared with multipurpose users.3

Safeguard Patients with Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report published August 21, 2015, almost one million visits for microbial keratitis or contact lens complications occur annually. The single greatest risk factor for microbial keratitis is contact lens wear.

In a survey evaluating contact lens risk, a majority of respondents (99 percent) reported at least one contact lens hygiene behavior associated with an increased risk for eye infection or inflammation. These included sleeping overnight (50.2 percent) or napping in contact lenses (87.1 percent), and topping off contact lens disinfection solution (adding new solution to existing solution in the contact lens case instead of emptying and cleaning the case before adding new solution (55.1 percent).

With hydrogen peroxide solutions, patients are dedicated removing their lenses at night in order to experience a clean lens the next day. Patients are unable to add additional hydrogen peroxide to the case, which reinforces with good compliance of the contact lens care regimen.

In the CDC report, noncompliance with a practitioners’ recommended contact lens and contact lens case replacement schedules was also commonly reported. In a study investigating the relationship between contact lens care systems and compliance from the University of Waterloo, it was found that patients who used hydrogen peroxide systems were more compliant than those who used MPS solutions. Thus, reducing the risk of microbial keratitis and serious eye infections.

In my experience, hydrogen peroxide systems help eliminate problems such as giant papillary conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis and dry eye. Some of my patients have been unable to wear contact lenses until they were switched to hydrogen peroxide systems. These tend to be very happy and compliant patients that “will never go back” to multipurpose contact lens solutions.

Most all, of my scleral lens patients are using hydrogen peroxide systems which helps eliminate complications both on the anterior surface of the lens and in the tear reservoir between the lens and the cornea.

Patient Compliance Is Critical to Successful Wear & Patient Protection

Compliance with lens care is critical to prevent microbial keratitis. With my patients, I discuss the risk of microbial keratitis and the possible loss of vision if an infection is located in the central cornea. If a patient develops microbial keratitis and develops a corneal scar, it could potentially affect their vision and ability to function. This is especially important when good vision is need for a patient’s occupation such as a pilot or commercial driver.
In addition to preventing a sight threatening eye infection and potential loss of vision, when patients are compliant with contact lens care they are more likely to have a successful contact lens wearing experience.

According to multiple studies, contact lens dropout rate ranges from 15 percent to 20 percent  of patients. Contact lens discomfort is the leading cause of dropout. According to Rumpakis, the median value of a contact lens dropout over a lifetime in the United States is $21,695.4

Compared with multipurpose contact lens solution, hydrogen peroxide users are more likely to have better lens care habits, follow their doctors’ recommendations, and return for eye examinations more often.

Have the Conversation With Patients About Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

I want my patients to have the best contact lens wearing experience possible. I explain the benefits of hydrogen peroxide systems including exceptional cleaning and disinfection of their contact lenses and ease of use of the hydrogen peroxide system.

Fortunately, many patients that have tried hydrogen peroxide systems absolutely love it and will not switch to another care product. These patients tell me that the lenses are “squeaky clean” or “super clean.” I like to explain the importance of compliance with my recommendation to prevent an eye infection and to have an unsurpassed long-term contact lens wearing experience.

Have Staff Reinforce Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions Message

My staff is excellent about reviewing the proper instructions of how to use of CLEAR CARE PLUS. My staff instructs the patient how easy CLEAR CARE PLUS is to use since no rubbing of the contact lens is required. Hydrogen peroxide is neutralized to saline after six hours or overnight; then the contact lenses are ready to insert. The staff informs the patient that CLEAR CARE PLUS is not used to rinse a contact lens prior to insertion or to apply directly in the eye. In addition, my staff always demonstrates the written instructions on the box of CLEAR CARE PLUS.

Contact lens solution use is documented in each patient’s chart at every visit. Each time a patient returns for follow up, one of the questions they are asked by my technician is about contact lens care and compliance.

It is critical to document at each visit and re-educate the patient if needed about proper use of contact lenses and contact lens solution and the importance of compliance.

I recommend hydrogen peroxide systems in order to prevent a problem. It is critical to know which contact lens solution is used in order to treat a contact lens related problem if needed.

Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions Mean Satisfied Patients

I can’t reiterate enough how much my patients love Clear Care and Clear Care Plus. They are so loyal to this solution, and refuse to switch to any other product.

References

1. Alcon data on file, 2014; Gabriel M, Bartell J, Walters R, et al. Biocidal efficacy of a new hydrogen peroxide contact lens care system against bacterial, fungi and Acanthamoeba species. Optom Vis Sci. 2014: 91.

2. Alcon data on file, 2014; Muya L, Scott A, Alvord L, et al. Wetting substantivity of a new hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solution on silicon hygrogel contact lenses. Poster presented at the British Contact Lens Association 39th Clinical Conference & Exhibition, Liverpool, UK, May 2015.

3. “Is there a relationship between care system and compliance?”: Guthrie, Dumbleton, Jones, poster at the British Contact Lens Association.

4. Rumpakis J. New data on contact lens dropouts: an international perspective. Review of Optometry 2010; 147:37-42: 2

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