The Power of 1: Match Contact Lenses to Lifestyle for a Better Fit

Max Wolf: For many Eye Care Professionals (ECPs), helping patients find the best solution starts with a simple question: What does their daily routine look like? Are they staring at screens for hours, chasing toddlers, traveling for work, cooking, sitting in all-day meetings, training for their next marathon, or all of the above? Every lifestyle brings its own visual challenges — and every patient deserves a lens that keeps up with their daily demands.

Alcon’s priority is to offer ECPs solutions that meet patients’ increasingly complex lifestyles and vision needs. WATERINNOVATIONS™ Portfolio is built to meet these demands. Using the concept of “The Power of 1” — one day, one week, or one month — ECPs can provide patients with a simple formula to find lenses that match their lifestyle and comfort needs. Whether it’s daily disposables, 1-week lenses to 1-month lenses, the WATERINNOVATIONS™ portfolio of lenses delivers comfort,^1-5† performance, and convenience, all designed to help ECPs successfully meet patient needs.

We spoke to industry-leading ECPs across the globe to better understand how the WATERINNOVATIONS™ Portfolio helps them find the right contact lens for their patients. Despite vastly different locations and patient profiles, there is one universal finding among the group — a successful fit is more than just vision correction. It’s about developing a partnership that gives patients the power to choose comfortable and convenient vision that fits their everyday lives.

How do you approach fitting patients with lenses that fit their lifestyle, not just their refractive needs?

ECP 1 (DR. JESSILIN QUINT, UNITED STATES): It starts with listening. Before I even look at the chart, I ask about their daily routine: how long they’re on screens, whether they commute, what their weekends look like, whether they wear makeup or have allergies. Each of those details helps to guide my recommendation. That’s when the real story of their eyes comes through. Someone who wakes up early or stays up late on a laptop has very different comfort needs from a weekend athlete or a retiree rediscovering travel, joining a book club, or trying new hobbies.

ECP 2 (DR. AARON LUEKENGA, UNITED STATES): Each patient has different needs based on their lifestyle. For contact lens wearers, meeting those needs effectively can mean the difference between a successful fit and dropout. Many patients stop wearing lenses because of end-of-day discomfort.⁹ It rarely has anything to do with their prescription. When I successfully match the lens to their life, I see far fewer dropouts and better outcomes overall.

ECP 3 (DR. JULIA YI TING LI, CHINA): I have a patient who is a lawyer and an avid soccer player. He came to me on the verge of quitting contact lenses altogether because they were so uncomfortable. Even though glasses were not practical given his prescription, his lenses were making his eyes red, dry, and irritated by the end of the day. I immediately recommended DAILIES TOTAL1^® because of its unique Water Gradient technology and SmartTears™️ technology.² The outcome was fantastic. He was able to comfortably wear his lenses through his entire workday and enjoy playing soccer later in the evening.⁷ He was amazed by the comfort offered by DAILIES TOTAL1^®.²

What makes the WaterInnovations portfolio useful for those conversations?

ECP 4 (DR. JASON COMPTON, UNITED STATES): I always want to bring new technology into my practice because it gives me such an edge over my competitors. To differentiate my practice and meet so many different patient needs, I am always looking to level up my offerings. The WATERINNOVATIONS™ Portfolio allows me to do that. Whether it’s a daily lens (such as DAILIES TOTAL1^® or PRECISION1^®), a 1-week option like PRECISION7^®, or a monthly lens like TOTAL30^®, I know I’m giving my patients proven technology and comfort,^1-5,9,10† and convenience. Then it’s just a matter of choosing what fits the patient’s lifestyle and budget.

ECP 2 (DR. AARON LUEKENGA): With WATERINNOVATIONS™ contact lenses, patients can just go about their day. They don’t even have to think about their vision. They can see comfortably and clearly without making constant adjustments.^6-9 It’s as easy as breathing — it just happens naturally. When I talk to my patients, it’s so straightforward: “one day, one week, one month.” Replacement schedules are easy and convenient. Being able to meet such a wide variety of needs so effortlessly really helps build rapport with my patients and makes them more likely to continue wearing their contact lenses longer.

When it comes to daily disposables, how do DAILIES TOTAL1^® lenses fit into your practice? 

ECP 5 (DR. CLAUDIO LAGUNAS, UNITED STATES): For my patients who work long hours — surgeons, attorneys, professionals with constant screen exposure — DAILIES TOTAL1^® are my first choice. It feels weightless — like you aren’t wearing anything.¹¹ Patients describe it as “a cool drink of water for their eyes.” The Water Gradient technology keeps the surface smooth and hydrated from morning until night,^2,12,13 even through extended screen time or bright surgical lights. Such good patient reviews make it easy to recommend them with confidence.

ECP 6 (DR. SHON PRASAD, AUSTRALIA): I had one patient who thought she’d have to give up contact lenses altogether. Changing to DAILIES TOTAL1^® Multifocal was life-changing for her. She said she could lecture, drive, and read all day without juggling multiple pairs of glasses. She hadn’t felt such confidence in her vision since developing presbyopia. Stories like that make my day, and it’s why I love this work — and this technology.

What about younger or newer wearers—what do you recommend for them?

ECP 2 (DR. AARON LUEKENGA): PRECISION1^® is my go-to for emerging wearers or patients who are digitally active and want something easy on their eyes. These patients like the convenience of a daily disposable but also want a lens that can keep up with their pace. The SMARTSURFACE^® technology creates a stable tear film so they can focus on their day, not their lenses.¹⁴ Its microthin layer, composed of more than 80% water at the surface, helps maintain surface moisture stability.¹⁵ By supporting the tear film, it delivers sharp, comfortable vision from morning to night.^1,14 They’re amazed that a lens can be this easy to love, easy to wear, and be such a great value.

PRECISION7 is new to the portfolio. How are patients responding to the weekly option?

ECP 4 (DR. JASON COMPTON): PRECISION7^® is a game-changer. Not everyone can use daily disposables, so having a 1-week replacement lens is a meaningful addition. The fact that I can now offer fresh new lenses every week with sustained release technology is just amazing.¹⁶ It offers outstanding comfort^4* at a great value, opening up new options for our patients. As a practitioner, it is also nice to be able to give patients a lens that meets their needs.

Patients want to follow the rules but can easily forget when it’s time to replace their lenses. This option is so simple: Monday to Monday, just once a week. From a performance standpoint, it bridges the gap between daily and monthly wear. The comfort remains excellent¹⁵, and patients are getting a lens that feels premium at a price that fits their budget.

And what about your monthly wearers?

ECP 1 (DR. JESSILIN QUINT): I have a lot of patients that prefer a reusable lens. For them, I recommend TOTAL30^®. It has Water Gradient Technology which helps deliver outstanding comfort and feels like nothing, even at day 30.¹⁷ The CELLIGENT^® Technology creates a dynamic lens surface that bio-mimics the corneal surface and allows the surface of TOTAL30^® to selectively attract smaller water molecules while simultaneously resisting much larger molecules like lipids and bacteria.^18-25 TOTAL30^® is perfect for cost-conscious patients who still want premium comfort and healthy eyes.^6-9

What’s your best advice for ECPs looking to reduce dropouts and boost satisfaction?

ECP 1 (DR. JESSILIN QUINT): Lead with confidence and curiosity. When you believe in what you fit, patients can sense it. And when you take time to understand their habits and goals, it builds trust. They know that you’ll help them find what works best for them.

ECP 2 (DR. AARON LUEKENGA): It’s a partnership. I tell patients we’re not just picking a lens—we’re finding a solution that fits them. When they feel like part of the decision, they stay engaged and compliant.

ECP 4 (DR. JASON COMPTON): “One day, one week, one month” keeps it straightforward for patients to understand their options for a replacement schedule. That simplicity helps them remember and builds confidence in the process. And the wide range of WATERINNOVATIONS™ lenses show Alcon’s dedication to finding a solution for everyone.

ECP 5 (DR. CLAUDIO LAGUNAS): Every satisfied patient is your best advocate. When they experience lasting comfort and clarity^6-9, they tell their friends and family. That’s the true Power of 1. It’s key to retaining customers and building our business – finding effective solutions for each patient keeps patients coming back year after year.