PLEASANTON, Calif.—A new industry report from CooperVision has revealed some reasons behind the recent widespread switch to 1-day contact lenses from monthly and two-week modalities. The report is based on surveys conducted among 450 ECPs and 2,000 contact lens wearers in the U.S., Spain, Italy, and France. Gary Osborn, OD, vice president, global professional and clinical affairs at CooperVision, said, “It’s clear that eyecare professionals are moving in large numbers to refit frequent replacement (FRP) wearers to 1-day contact lenses, with many also citing the health benefits of silicone hydrogel materials.

"Yet the report also illustrates that despite scientific understanding and personal preferences, some ECPs misconstrue what their patients want and even expect.”

The five main insights from the report are:

  1. The pace of 1-day refitting is increasing: In comparison to six months ago, 79 percent of American ECPs and 46 percent of European ECPs said they are moving more patients to 1-day lenses.
  2. ECP recommendations matter most: In 84 percent of all switching scenarios, the ECP drives the change. In addition, 69 percent of patients make their final choice based on their doctor’s recommendation.
  3. Eye health and comfort play a large part: in 70 percent of switching scenarios, ECPs suggested the change because the patient had issues with previous contact lenses. Generally, they sited general and long-term eye health, comfort at the end of the day, and better lifestyle fit as benefits of moving to 1-day lenses.
  4. Beliefs don’t always equate to action: CooperVision reported that despite nearly nine in ten ECPs stating that they believe “those in 1-day lenses should be in a silicone hydrogel material,” nearly half of patients moved from FRP silicone hydrogel lenses fit with 1-day hydrogel materials.
  5. Misperceptions fuel ECP hesitancy: CooperVision reported, “When asked about their use of a hydrogel material when refitting wearers into a 1-day contact lens, 55 percent of ECPs cited price concerns, while 28 percent of ECPs believe some patients do not wear their lenses enough to require the oxygen transmissibility benefit of silicone hydrogel materials.”
Osborn said, “While it’s clear that ECPs have a strong inclination to refit wearers into 1-day silicone hydrogel lenses, and are doing so around the world, we still need to partner with them to help overcome perceived obstacles. One way is through this new report, which includes practical advice on how to communicate the value of these incredible lenses to patients, using language that resonates. It also has tips on discussing price aspects, such as cost per wear and care regimen savings, plus noting that some 1-day silicone hydrogel options are priced similarly to 1-day hydrogel lenses.”

The full CooperVision report can be downloaded and read on CooperVision’s website.