In a move to offer “around the clock” vision coverage for astigmatism patients, Johnson & Johnson is now offering expanded parameters for its ACUVUE VITA for Astigmatism contact lens.
First, let’s take a look at the ACUVUE VITA brand.
First introduced to the U.S. commercial market in 2016 as a monthly replacement lens, ACUVUE VITA debuted with an“Eye-Inspired Design” (more on that in a moment).
See here for a look at how ACUVUE VITA compares to other monthly contact lens brands.
Talk more about the lens design.
The entire ACUVUE VITA brand of lenses feature three key components:
- HydraMax Technology: A non-coated silicone hydrogel (SiHy) formulation balanced to maximize and expand lens hydration
- Ultra-violet (UV) blocking: ~99% UVB and ~93% UVA
- Invisible edge design: Includes thin edges for enhanced eyelid comfort.
See here for lens specifications.
And when was ACUVUE VITA for Astigmatism introduced?
ACUVUE VITA for Astigmatism followed shortly after as a monthly replacement toric soft contact lens specifically designed to correct (you guessed it) astigmatism.
Importantly: While intended for daily wear, the lens should not be worn overnight.
Tell me more about this toric lens.
Based on its lens specifications, here’s what to know:
- The lens material: Senofilcon C (with a 41% water content)
- Its technology: HydraMax Technology and BLINK STABILIZED design to help keep the lens in place
- The lens dimensions: 8.6 mm (base curve), 14.5 mm (diameter), and 0.08 mm (center thickness at -3.00D)
What’s unique about this BLINK STABILIZED design?
Included in ACUVUE toric lenses, this is a proprietary lens stabilization technology design that utilizes the eyelid’s natural motion during blinking to keep the lens in place on the eye.
How it works:
- Four stability zones are positioned around the lens’ periphery and interact with the eyelids during each blink
- These zones realign the lens if it rotates off-axis and ensure it’s stable during any head or eye movements
- A prism-free optic zone avoids vertical prism disparity challenges for monocular astigmats
- Examples include headaches or discomfort, unlike traditional ballasted designs
So about its power range …
Per J&J, the lens will now “offer around the clock coverage” (in 10° increments) up to -2.75D cylinder (CYL).
- To clarify: This means across the full power range (-9.00 to +6.00).
Give me the full rundown on that.
The lens’s new power range:
- Low minus: (plano) -6.00D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps
- High minus: -6.50D to -9.00D in 0.50D steps
- Low plus: +0.25D to +4.00D in 0.25D steps
- High plus: +4.25D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps
- CYL: -0.75, -1.25, -1.75, -2.25, -2.75
- Axis: 10° to 180° (in 10° steps)
Nice! Now, is there any notable data supporting this lens?
Considering both ACUVUE VITA lenses have been on the market for quite some time … of course.
In a comparative study against three competitor brands’ lenses among 533 contact lens patients, the ACUVE VITA brand was rated as “more comfortable at Week 4” than other lenses at Week 1.
- The competitors: Biofinity, Ultra, and Air Optix plus HydraGlyde
- To note: The findings were based on a weekly “overall comfort” rating participants logged over a 4-week period.
Exactly how much more comfortable, would you say?
ACUVUE VITA’s 4-week comfort rating clocked in at 69%—far higher than that of its competitors’ 1-week (and even 4-week) ratings. The competitor lenses’ ratings:
- Ultra: 51%
- AirOptix plus HydraGlyde: 52%
- Biofinity: 57%
See a visual of this comparison. And check out this data supporting ACUVUE VITA’s superiority to Total30 lenses in comfort, vision, and handling among lens patients.
Impressive … So what should I know about accessing the ACUVUE VITA?
For either version of the lens, click here to reach out to a J&J sales representative.
- Plus: A fitting calculator is also available.
To note: J&J also shared that new packaging for the ACUVUE VITA for Astigmatism is coming later this year … so stay tuned!