Dailies Total 1 Multifocal Fitting Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of fitting Alcon’s Dailies Total 1 Multifocal contact lenses. It covers key concepts like Water Gradient Technology, Precision Profile Design, and the fitting process. It includes valuable information for eye care professionals to ensure successful fitting and optimal patient satisfaction.

Introduction

The Dailies Total 1 Multifocal contact lenses, manufactured by Alcon & Ciba Vision, represent a groundbreaking advancement in presbyopic vision correction. These daily disposable lenses are the world’s first water gradient lenses, offering an unparalleled level of comfort and visual clarity. The unique water gradient technology, combined with the Precision Profile Design, provides a seamless transition between near, intermediate, and far distances, enabling presbyopic patients to experience effortless vision correction without the inconvenience of reading glasses.

This fitting guide aims to provide eye care professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lens design and its fitting process. It outlines the key principles and techniques for achieving optimal fitting success, ensuring patients experience the full benefits of this innovative lens technology. The guide will delve into aspects such as starting point for fitting, over-refraction, lens parameters, comfort and performance, troubleshooting, and patient education. By following the recommendations outlined in this guide, practitioners can confidently fit Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses and help their patients achieve clear, comfortable vision throughout the day.

Water Gradient Technology

The Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses are distinguished by their innovative Water Gradient Technology, which plays a pivotal role in their exceptional comfort and performance. This technology involves a gradual transition in water content from the lens core to the surface, culminating in a remarkably high water content of nearly 100% at the outermost layer. This unique water gradient creates a smooth, moist surface that minimizes friction and promotes a gentle, cushioned feel on the eye.

The high water content at the lens surface provides a number of key advantages⁚

• Enhanced Comfort⁚ The moist surface significantly reduces dryness and irritation, leading to a more comfortable wearing experience throughout the day.
• Improved Breathability⁚ The high water content allows for greater oxygen permeability, ensuring the eye remains healthy and well-nourished.
• Smoother Lens Movement⁚ The moist surface reduces friction between the lens and the eye, allowing for smoother lens movement and minimizing the sensation of a foreign object.

In essence, the Water Gradient Technology enables Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses to achieve a delicate balance between high breathability and exceptional comfort, providing a unique and highly desirable lens-wearing experience for presbyopic patients.

Precision Profile Design

The Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses are designed with a unique Precision Profile, a sophisticated optical design that provides seamless vision correction for presbyopic patients. This innovative design integrates multiple prescriptions into a single lens, enabling the wearer to effortlessly transition between near, intermediate, and far vision. The Precision Profile effectively addresses the challenges of presbyopia by blending a bi-aspheric surface, an adaptive minus power profile, and a carefully crafted lens geometry.

The bi-aspheric surface, a key component of the Precision Profile, is engineered to provide a smooth and continuous transition between the near and distance vision zones. This eliminates the abrupt shifts in vision often experienced with traditional bifocal or multifocal lenses, resulting in a more natural and seamless visual experience. The adaptive minus power profile, another integral part of the design, gradually changes the lens power across the surface, allowing the eye to smoothly adjust focus for different distances. This dynamic power adjustment ensures clear vision at all distances, from close-up reading to far-off objects.

The Precision Profile is further enhanced by a carefully optimized lens geometry that accommodates a wide range of pupil sizes. This ensures that the lens effectively corrects vision for individuals with varying pupil diameters, providing clear and comfortable vision for a broader spectrum of patients. The combined effect of these design elements results in a highly effective multifocal lens that delivers predictable, seamless vision, and a comfortable wearing experience.

Fitting Process

The fitting process for Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses involves a series of steps designed to ensure optimal comfort and visual performance. The process typically begins with a comprehensive eye examination to determine the patient’s refractive error, including their presbyopic needs. The eye care professional will then assess the patient’s tear film quality, corneal topography, and overall eye health to select the most suitable lens parameters.

A key aspect of the fitting process is determining the appropriate lens power, which is often slightly different from the patient’s distance prescription. The fitting guide recommends starting with a spherical equivalent of 0.25D over the distance prescription, but individual adjustments may be necessary based on the patient’s specific needs. The eye care professional will then perform an over-refraction to fine-tune the lens power for optimal near and far vision.

The fitting process also involves assessing the lens fit on the eye, ensuring that the lens is centered and comfortable. The eye care professional will observe the lens movement and assess for any signs of discomfort or irritation. If necessary, adjustments to the lens parameters, such as the base curve or diameter, may be made to achieve a more comfortable and stable fit. Once the lens fit and power are optimized, the patient will be instructed on proper lens insertion and removal techniques, as well as lens care and hygiene practices.

Starting Point for Fitting

The starting point for fitting Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses is crucial for achieving optimal visual acuity and patient satisfaction. Alcon provides specific recommendations for initial lens selection, emphasizing a slight over-refraction from the patient’s distance prescription. This approach aims to compensate for the presbyopic correction incorporated within the multifocal lens design.

The fitting guide suggests starting with a spherical power that is 0.25D higher than the patient’s spherical equivalent for distance. This initial over-refraction helps to ensure clear distance vision while allowing for potential adjustments to fine-tune near vision. However, it’s important to note that this is a general starting point, and individual patient needs may vary.

The eye care professional should consider factors such as the patient’s age, degree of presbyopia, and visual demands when determining the initial lens power. A thorough assessment of the patient’s visual needs, including their reading and intermediate vision requirements, will guide the fitting process and ensure the selection of the most appropriate lens power for their specific needs.

Over-Refraction

Over-refraction is an essential step in fitting Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses, playing a critical role in achieving optimal vision at all distances. It involves determining the additional refractive power needed to correct for presbyopia, allowing the patient to see clearly at both near and far distances. The process typically involves a series of subjective refractions using a trial lens set.

The eye care professional will start by measuring the patient’s distance vision, establishing the baseline spherical equivalent. Then, they’ll introduce a series of add powers, typically starting with +0.25D, to evaluate the patient’s near vision. The goal is to find the add power that provides clear vision at both near and intermediate distances while maintaining optimal distance vision.

During the over-refraction process, the eye care professional will assess the patient’s ability to read, focus on intermediate objects, and see clearly at distance. They’ll observe the patient’s responses, including their ability to read comfortably, their perception of clarity at different distances, and their overall satisfaction with the visual outcome. The over-refraction process is iterative, allowing for adjustments until the optimal add power is achieved, providing the patient with seamless vision across all distances.

Lens Parameters

Understanding the lens parameters of Dailies Total 1 Multifocal is crucial for successful fitting and patient satisfaction. Key parameters include the base curve (BC), diameter (DIA), and the range of available spherical powers and add powers. These parameters are essential for ensuring the lens sits comfortably on the eye, providing optimal vision and comfort throughout the day.

Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses have a standard base curve of 8.5 mm and a diameter of 14.1 mm. This combination is designed to fit a wide range of eye shapes and sizes, providing a comfortable and secure fit for most users. The lenses are available in a range of spherical powers, typically from +6.00D to -0.50D in 0.25D steps.

The addition (add) power, which corrects for presbyopia, is also available in a range of values. The specific add power range depends on the individual patient’s needs and the degree of their presbyopia. Alcon recommends that the initial add power be chosen based on the patient’s subjective needs and the desired level of visual correction at near, intermediate, and distance. The fitting guide and package insert provide comprehensive information on choosing the appropriate add power for each patient.

Comfort and Performance

Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses are renowned for their exceptional comfort and performance. This is attributed to Alcon’s unique Water Gradient Technology and Precision Profile Design. The Water Gradient Technology creates a lens surface with a water content approaching 100%, providing a smooth, hydrated feel and minimizing friction on the eye. This results in exceptional comfort throughout the day, even for individuals prone to dryness or irritation.

The Precision Profile Design features a bi-aspheric surface and an adaptive minus power profile, allowing for a seamless transition between near, intermediate, and far vision. This design provides clear and uninterrupted vision at all distances, making it ideal for presbyopic patients who need to see clearly for both near and far tasks.

Furthermore, the unique optical zone is optimized for a wide range of pupil sizes, ensuring clear vision for individuals with varying pupil sizes. This contributes to the lens’ overall performance and allows for a more personalized fit for each patient. Patients consistently report high levels of satisfaction with Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses, citing their exceptional comfort and seamless vision correction.

Troubleshooting

While Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses are designed for optimal comfort and performance, some patients may encounter minor issues during the fitting process or while wearing the lenses. Here are some common troubleshooting tips⁚

Blurred Vision⁚ If the patient experiences blurred vision, it may be due to an incorrect lens power or a mismatch in the add power. Re-evaluate the patient’s prescription and consider adjusting the add power to find the optimal fit.

Dryness⁚ Although Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses are designed with Water Gradient Technology to minimize dryness, some individuals may experience dry eyes. In these cases, recommend the use of lubricating eye drops throughout the day.

Discomfort⁚ If the patient experiences discomfort, it could be due to a poor fit or an allergic reaction to the lens material. Ensure the lens is properly centered and positioned on the eye. If discomfort persists, consider switching to a different lens material.

Foreign Body Sensation⁚ A foreign body sensation may indicate that the lens is not properly seated on the eye. Instruct the patient on proper lens insertion and removal techniques. If the issue persists, consult an eye care professional.

Patient Education

Thorough patient education is crucial for the success of Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lens wear. It empowers patients to understand the benefits, proper care, and potential challenges associated with these lenses. Here are some key points to address⁚

Benefits⁚ Explain the advantages of Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses, including their ability to provide seamless vision transitions between near, intermediate, and far distances. Emphasize the comfort and convenience of daily disposable lenses, eliminating the need for cleaning and disinfection.

Lens Insertion and Removal⁚ Provide detailed instructions on proper lens insertion and removal techniques. Demonstrate the correct handling methods to avoid lens damage or contamination.

Care and Maintenance⁚ Since Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses are disposable, patients need not worry about cleaning and disinfection. However, emphasize the importance of washing hands thoroughly before and after handling the lenses.

Troubleshooting⁚ Educate patients about potential issues they might encounter, such as blurred vision, dryness, discomfort, or a foreign body sensation. Provide them with solutions for each scenario, emphasizing the importance of consulting an eye care professional if problems persist.

Follow-up Appointments⁚ Stress the importance of regular follow-up appointments with their eye care professional to monitor lens fit, eye health, and ensure optimal vision correction.

The Dailies Total 1 Multifocal fitting guide provides a comprehensive framework for successful fitting and patient satisfaction. By understanding the unique features of these lenses, including Water Gradient Technology and Precision Profile Design, eye care professionals can optimize the fitting process. This guide also highlights the importance of patient education, empowering wearers to make informed decisions about lens care and management.

Dailies Total 1 Multifocal lenses represent a significant advancement in presbyopic vision correction, offering a comfortable and convenient solution for patients seeking clear vision at all distances. By adhering to the principles outlined in this guide, eye care professionals can ensure a smooth and successful fitting experience, ultimately enhancing the lives of their presbyopic patients;

This fitting guide serves as a valuable resource for eye care professionals, facilitating best practices and promoting optimal patient outcomes. Remember that regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor lens fit and address any potential issues, ensuring ongoing comfort and clear vision for Dailies Total 1 Multifocal wearers.