New survey data from Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, shows that nearly three out of four patients surveyed preferred AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® contact lenses over their previous 2-week or monthly replacement lenses. After using AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses with CLEAR CARE^® PLUS or OPTI-FREE^® PUREMOIST^® for one month, patients agreed that “these lenses were more comfortable when they first put them on,” and that “these lenses feel more comfortable at the end of the day,” as compared to their previous contact lenses.

“In this survey, only 40% of patients reported their habitual lenses felt comfortable throughout the entire 2-weeks or month of wear,” said Mohinder Merchea OD, PhD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA and Head of Medical Affairs, Alcon Vision Care US. “These survey results confirm that AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses provide consistent comfort for patients throughout their wearing schedule.”

Alcon surveyed 229 patients and 20 ECPs in the US to assess patient and ECP experiences after patients tried AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses for one month versus their habitual contact lenses. All patients were habitually using CLEAR CARE^®PLUS or OPTI-FREE^® PUREMOIST^® for daily cleaning and disinfection of their previous contact lenses, and continued using the same lens care solution with AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses for one month.  Key findings from patients include*:

• Nearly three out of four patients preferred AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses over their previous 2-week or monthly replacement lenses.
• 92% of patients surveyed agreed that AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde lenses felt more comfortable when they first put them on each day, as compared to their previous lenses.
• Nearly eighty percent of patients reported (agreed) that AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses felt comfortable through the end of the day.

Eye care professionals (ECPs) also report satisfaction**:

• 100 percent of the ECPs surveyed agreed that AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses are easy to fit and provide outstanding comfort to their patients at time of initial fitting.
• 3 out of 4 of ECPs surveyed agreed with the statement, “I plan to proactively recommend to my 2-week and monthly contact lens wearers that they switch to AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^®contact lenses.”
• After switching patients to AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses, three out of four ECPs reported that AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® lenses would be the preferred monthly replacement lens in their practice.

AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® is the first AIR OPTIX^® brand of contact lens to merge two breakthrough technologies. The unique HydraGlyde^® Moisture Matrix provides long-lasting lens surface moisture, while Alcon’s SmartShield^® Technology helps prevents the build-up of deposits on the lens.

This data will be presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in October 2017.

For more information about AIR OPTIX^® plus HydraGlyde^® contact lenses, visit www.AirOptix.com.