Daily Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Astigmatism Debut in the U.S.

Bausch + Lomb Corporation has introduced Bausch + Lomb INFUSE for Astigmatism daily disposable contact lenses in the United States. Engineered with a next-generation lens material infused with ProBalance Technology and the company’s proprietary OpticAlign design, INFUSE for Astigmatism provides astigmatic patients clear, stable vision, all-day comfort and minimizes contact lens dryness. The company will begin shipping INFUSE for Astigmatism fitting sets to eye care professionals this month.

“More than half of toric lens wearers with astigmatism experience contact lens dryness and many also report blurred vision. These symptoms are only exacerbated with modern-day lifestyles, which include prolonged digital device use,”¹ said Yang Yang, president, Global Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb. “Our INFUSE for Astigmatism lenses, which were developed in-house by our R&D team, are designed to directly address these challenges, including the causes of toric lens rotation. They provide excellent clarity, optimal stability and can be worn comfortably all day.”

Consistent with the entire INFUSE family of lenses, INFUSE for Astigmatism features a blend of osmoprotectants, electrolytes and moisturizers, essential comfort and eye health ingredients that are released throughout the 16-hour wearing experience.¹ The lens material (kalifilcon A) combines the highest overall moisture (55%) and high breathability (107 Dk/t) with a low modulus for excellent comfort.^2,3

According to a recent study, 95% of INFUSE for Astigmatism lenses settled within 10 degrees within 30 seconds. In addition, 97% of INFUSE for Astigmatism lenses had less than three degrees of rotation with blink and a mean comfort score of nearly 90%. INFUSE for Astigmatism offers the most in-office parameters and is the only daily disposable toric with -2.25 and -2.75 cylinders available in a fit set.⁴

“As patient lifestyles become increasingly more dynamic, it’s essential their lenses provide a high level of moisture retention and stability, particularly for those with astigmatism. INFUSE for Astigmatism will deliver on these needs and provide comprehensive in-office parameters that make it possible to fit patients during their scheduled appointment,” said Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAO, and clinical excellence captain, MyEyeDr, Birmingham, Ala. “With this addition to the INFUSE family of lenses – based on the latest ocular surface research – practitioners can be confident that they have an INFUSE lens to meet the majority of their patients’ vision and eye health needs.”

Astigmatism is a common condition that affects approximately one in three people and occurs when the cornea or lens has a different shape than normal, causing blurry or distorted vision.^5,6 It can affect vision of both near and far objects, as well as cause difficulty seeing at night, and coexist with myopia or hyperopia. Astigmatism can be confirmed during a comprehensive eye exam and treated with the use of contact lenses, prescription eyeglasses and/or laser or other surgical procedures.⁶

The Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling program is the first and only contact lens recycling program in the United States. This program collects used contact lenses, top foils and opened plastic blister packs from any brand and is available to contact lens wearers and eye care professionals. To participate, contact lens wearers can bring their used contact lenses and packaging to an official recycling eye care practice, which collects the used materials in a custom recycling bin provided by Bausch + Lomb. Once the bin is filled, the eye care practice ships the materials using a Bausch + Lomb pre-paid shipping label to TerraCycle, where lenses are cleaned and melted into hard plastic pellets that can be used to make new recycled products. 

Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting and enhancing sight. Its portfolio of approximately 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with approximately 13,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, with corporate offices in Bridgewater, N.J.

References
¹ Analysis of worn lenses demonstrated poloxamer 181, erythritol, potassium, and glycerin were retained for 16 hours.
² Oxygen transmissibility at -3.00 diameter.
³ Unlike INFUSE® for Astigmatism, ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day for ASTIGMATISM, MyDay toric, and 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST for ASTIGMATISM, which are non-surface-treated daily disposables, PRECISION1 for Astigmatism and DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism are daily disposables with an integrated surface coating.
⁴ Compared to ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day for ASTIGMATISM, DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism, and MyDay toric.
⁵ National Eye Institute: Astigmatism: At a Glance. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/astigmatism.
⁶ Cleveland Clinic: Astigmatism. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8576-astigmatism#:~:text=How%20common%20is%20astigmatism%3F,along%20with%20nearsightedness%20or%20farsightedness.