Air Optix Multifocal fitting centers on personalized vision correction for presbyopia, utilizing a 3 ADD system for optimal comfort and clarity.
Understanding Presbyopia
Presbyopia, a natural age-related process, gradually reduces the eye’s ability to focus on near objects. This typically becomes noticeable around age 40, requiring corrective measures like reading glasses or multifocal contact lenses.
Air Optix Multifocal lenses address this by providing clear vision at distance, intermediate, and near, unlike single-vision lenses. Successful fitting requires understanding the patient’s visual needs and lifestyle to determine the appropriate ADD power for seamless transitions between viewing distances.
Proper diagnosis and management of presbyopia are crucial for patient satisfaction.
The Air Optix Multifocal Lens Technology
Air Optix Multifocal lenses feature Lotrafilcon B material, known for high oxygen permeability, promoting corneal health during extended wear (up to six nights, as prescribed). The lenses utilize a unique 3 ADD power design, offering personalized vision correction for varying near vision needs.
HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology ensures lasting comfort by creating a breathable, hydrating cushion. This minimizes dryness and irritation, enhancing lens wearability. The lens design provides smooth transitions between distances, optimizing visual acuity.
Patient Assessment & Selection
Successful Air Optix Multifocal fitting requires a thorough patient evaluation, including a comprehensive eye exam and detailed refraction analysis for presbyopia.
Comprehensive Eye Examination
A detailed eye examination is foundational for Air Optix Multifocal candidacy. This includes assessing overall ocular health, evaluating tear film quality, and measuring corneal topography. Careful attention should be given to ruling out any contraindications to contact lens wear, such as severe dry eye or active corneal infections. Thoroughly document the patient’s medical history, paying close attention to systemic conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases that could impact contact lens fit and tolerance. Accurate baseline data ensures optimal lens selection and minimizes potential complications, leading to a successful fitting experience.
Refraction for Multifocal Candidates
Accurate refraction is paramount when fitting Air Optix Multifocals. Perform a thorough cycloplegic refraction to minimize accommodative spasm, especially in presbyopic patients. Determine both distance and near additions precisely. Monocular refraction is crucial to assess each eye independently, identifying any residual refractive error. Consider utilizing dynamic retinoscopy to evaluate accommodative responses. Document the spherical equivalent and cylindrical correction for both distance and near vision. This detailed refraction forms the basis for selecting the appropriate lens power and ADD value.
Determining Add Power – The 3 ADD System
The Air Optix Multifocal 3 ADD System simplifies add power selection. It offers Low (LV), Medium (MD), and High (HV) add options, based on the patient’s near addition requirement. LV is typically for +0.75D to +1.25D, MD for +1.50D to +2.00D, and HV for +2.25D or greater. Consider the patient’s lifestyle and visual demands. A detailed patient interview helps refine the ADD choice. Utilize trial lenses to confirm the selected ADD provides comfortable and clear near vision, optimizing the fitting process.
Fitting Process – Initial Lens Selection
Initial selection involves choosing the appropriate base curve, diameter, and power, considering the patient’s refraction and corneal curvature measurements.
Base Curve Selection
Selecting the correct base curve is fundamental for optimal lens fit and visual performance with Air Optix Multifocal lenses. Consider the patient’s corneal curvature, as determined by keratometry or corneal topography. A steeper base curve may be necessary for flatter corneas, while a flatter base curve suits steeper corneas.
Initial fitting often starts with a base curve close to the patient’s average corneal curvature. Diagnostic sets are invaluable for refining this selection, allowing assessment of centration, movement, and overall comfort. Proper base curve selection minimizes complications like binding, decentration, and corneal warpage, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction.
Diameter Considerations
Lens diameter significantly impacts comfort and stability for Air Optix Multifocal wearers. Generally, a larger diameter provides greater stability, particularly for patients with decentration tendencies. However, excessive diameter can lead to lid interaction and discomfort.
Standard diameters typically range from 13.8mm to 14.5mm. Evaluate the patient’s palpebral fissure width and limbal ring size to guide diameter selection. Diagnostic fitting sets allow for precise assessment of lens centration and movement, ensuring optimal fit and minimizing complications like dryness or binding.
Power Range Availability
Air Optix Multifocal lenses offer a comprehensive power range to accommodate a wide spectrum of presbyopic corrections. Sphere powers generally span from +3.00D to -8.00D, in 0.25D steps, ensuring adaptability for various refractive errors.
ADD powers are available in Low (+0.75D), Medium (+1.25D), and High (+1.75D) options, facilitating precise near vision correction. Base curves and diameters vary to optimize fit. Always verify current availability with Alcon, as ranges may be updated to meet evolving patient needs and market demands.
Trial Lens Fitting
Trial lenses are crucial for validating the selected parameters, assessing visual performance at all distances, and ensuring patient comfort before final ordering.
Over-Refraction Techniques
Over-refraction during the trial fitting process refines the prescription, addressing any residual refractive error not corrected by the initial lens selection. This technique involves placing +0.25D or -0.25D over the trial lens to optimize visual acuity. It’s essential to assess both distance and near vision with over-refraction, noting any improvements or declines in clarity. Careful over-refraction helps pinpoint the ideal power adjustments needed for sharp vision at all focal lengths, maximizing patient satisfaction and minimizing adaptation challenges. This step ensures a truly personalized fit.
Subjective Refinement
Subjective refinement is crucial for optimizing the Air Optix Multifocal fit, relying on patient feedback to fine-tune the prescription. Ask patients to compare vision with and without the trial lenses, focusing on clarity at distance, intermediate, and near. Employ equalizing techniques, balancing vision between both eyes. Encourage detailed descriptions of visual experiences – haloes, glare, or fluctuations. This iterative process, guided by patient responses, ensures the final prescription delivers comfortable and clear vision across all viewing distances, leading to successful adaptation.
Assessing Visual Acuity at Distance, Intermediate & Near
Thorough visual acuity assessment is vital throughout the Air Optix Multifocal fitting. Measure distance acuity first, then intermediate (typically 40-60cm) for computer use, and finally near (around 35-40cm) for reading. Record acuity for each distance with and without the trial lenses. Compare results to the patient’s refraction and note any improvements or discrepancies. This multi-distance evaluation confirms the lens provides clear vision at all relevant ranges, validating the chosen ADD power and overall prescription success.
Troubleshooting Common Fitting Issues
Addressing challenges like haloes, glare, or fluctuating vision is crucial for successful Air Optix Multifocal adaptation; refinement often resolves these issues.
Haloes and Glare
Haloes and glare frequently arise during Air Optix Multifocal fitting, often linked to insufficient pupil size or improper add power selection. Careful over-refraction and a detailed refraction are essential to minimize these visual disturbances. Consider reducing the add power or adjusting the lens diameter.
Ensure accurate lens centration, as decentration can exacerbate these symptoms. Patient feedback is paramount; thoroughly question them about the nature and frequency of haloes and glare. Diagnostic sets can help pinpoint the optimal lens parameters for reduced visual artifacts, improving overall comfort and clarity.
Fluctuating Vision
Fluctuating vision with Air Optix Multifocal lenses often indicates an unstable tear film or an incorrect add power. Thoroughly assess the patient’s ocular surface for dryness and recommend appropriate lubrication. Refine the add power through careful over-refraction, ensuring clear vision at all distances.
Consider a trial period with daily wear to assess stability before considering extended wear. Investigate potential accommodative fluctuations. Proper lens fit and centration are crucial; a diagnostic lens set can help optimize parameters and minimize intermittent blur.
Discomfort & Lens Awareness
Discomfort or lens awareness can stem from several factors during Air Optix Multifocal fitting. Evaluate corneal health, ensuring no irregularities or inflammation are present. Confirm proper lens centration; decentration can cause edge irritation. Assess blink dynamics – incomplete blinks may lead to dryness and awareness.
Consider a different base curve or diameter if discomfort persists. Rule out sensitivities to lens care solutions. Thorough patient education on proper handling and cleaning is vital. If issues continue, explore alternative lens materials or designs.
Lens Ordering & Verification
Accurate parameter confirmation is crucial when ordering Air Optix Multifocals, alongside verifying lot numbers and expiration dates for optimal lens quality and performance.
Confirming Parameters
Meticulously confirm all lens parameters before finalizing the order, including sphere power, cylinder, axis (if applicable), ADD power, base curve, and diameter. Double-check these against the patient’s refraction and trial lens findings. Any discrepancies could lead to suboptimal vision or discomfort.
Ensure the chosen parameters align with the Air Optix Multifocal’s available range. Verify the prescription falls within the lens’s power specifications to avoid ordering limitations. Accurate parameter confirmation is paramount for successful multifocal lens wear and patient satisfaction.
Understanding Lot Numbers & Expiration Dates
Lot numbers are crucial for traceability and recall purposes; record them diligently with each patient’s file. These numbers allow Alcon to track specific manufacturing batches, ensuring quality control and facilitating investigations if needed. Always verify the expiration date on the lens packaging before dispensing.
Expired lenses may compromise material integrity and potentially cause irritation or reduced oxygen permeability. Never dispense lenses past their expiration date. Proper documentation of lot numbers and expiration dates demonstrates responsible practice and patient safety.
Patient Education & Aftercare
Comprehensive patient education regarding proper lens handling, cleaning routines, and recommended wearing schedules is vital for success and comfort.
Lens Handling & Cleaning
Proper hygiene is paramount for Air Optix Multifocal lenses. Patients should always wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling. Utilize only recommended multipurpose solutions – never tap water! Gently rub and rinse lenses to remove debris, then store in a clean case filled with fresh solution.
Cases require regular cleaning and replacement. Avoid harsh soaps or detergents. Discard the solution after each use and never reuse it. Consistent adherence to these guidelines minimizes risk of infection and ensures optimal lens performance and prolonged comfort.
Wearing Schedule Recommendations
Air Optix Multifocal lenses offer flexibility, allowing for daily wear or extended wear up to six nights, as determined by the eye care professional. Initial fitting should prioritize daily wear to assess tolerance and adaptation. Extended wear suitability depends on individual corneal health and tear film quality.
Patients must adhere to the prescribed wearing schedule and avoid over-wearing. Regular breaks from lens wear are beneficial. Consistent follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor corneal health and ensure continued comfort and optimal vision.
Follow-Up Appointments
Post-fitting follow-up is essential for Air Optix Multifocal lenses. Schedule an initial check one to two weeks after dispensing to evaluate lens adaptation, visual acuity, and overall comfort. Assess any reported issues like haloes or fluctuating vision.
Further appointments at one month and three months are recommended to monitor corneal health and refine the prescription if needed. Consistent follow-up ensures long-term success and patient satisfaction with multifocal lens wear, addressing any emerging concerns promptly.
Extended Wear Considerations
Air Optix Multifocal lenses allow up to six nights of extended wear, but careful patient selection and monitoring of corneal health are crucial for safety.
Suitability for Extended Wear
Determining which patients are suitable for extended wear with Air Optix Multifocal lenses requires a thorough assessment. Factors include tear film quality, corneal health, patient motivation, and adherence to hygiene protocols. Not all presbyopic individuals are ideal candidates; those with dry eye or compromised corneal surfaces should be excluded.
A detailed discussion about the risks and benefits of extended wear is essential. Patients must understand the importance of proper lens cleaning, disinfection, and regular follow-up appointments to minimize potential complications like corneal hypoxia or infection.
Monitoring Corneal Health
Regular monitoring of corneal health is paramount for patients in extended wear Air Optix Multifocal lenses. Slit-lamp examination should assess for signs of hypoxia, such as corneal edema or epithelial microcysts. Fluorescein staining helps detect any epithelial irregularities or damage.
Patient feedback regarding comfort and vision quality is crucial. Any reports of redness, pain, or fluctuating vision warrant immediate investigation. Consistent monitoring ensures early detection of potential issues, allowing for timely intervention and preventing serious complications.
Hygiene & Compliance
Strict adherence to proper hygiene protocols is essential for successful extended wear with Air Optix Multifocal lenses. Patients must be thoroughly instructed on correct lens handling, including washing hands before insertion and removal. Proper cleaning and disinfection with recommended solutions are non-negotiable.
Compliance with the prescribed wearing schedule is equally vital. Overwearing significantly increases the risk of corneal complications. Reinforce the importance of removing lenses before sleep if not specifically prescribed for extended wear, and regular lens case replacement.
Advanced Fitting Techniques
Utilizing diagnostic sets and corneal topography provides valuable insights for optimizing Air Optix Multifocal lens selection, especially considering pupil size measurements.
Using Diagnostic Sets
Diagnostic lens sets are invaluable tools when fitting Air Optix Multifocal lenses, allowing for precise refinement beyond initial parameters. These sets contain a range of ADD powers and base curves, facilitating subjective evaluation of visual acuity at all distances – far, intermediate, and near.
Carefully assess patient responses to different combinations, noting any improvements in clarity or comfort. This iterative process helps identify the optimal lens design for individual visual needs, minimizing haloes, glare, and fluctuating vision. Remember to document all findings thoroughly for accurate record-keeping and future adjustments.
Topography Guidance
Corneal topography provides crucial insights for Air Optix Multifocal fitting, especially in cases of astigmatism or irregular corneal surfaces. Mapping the cornea’s shape helps determine the most suitable base curve and lens diameter, optimizing fit and minimizing distortion.
Topographic analysis can also identify areas of concern, such as steep or flat spots, guiding lens selection to avoid discomfort or compromised vision. Integrating topography data with other fitting parameters enhances the accuracy and predictability of the fitting process, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Pupil Size Measurement & Impact
Pupil size significantly influences Air Optix Multifocal lens performance. Measuring pupil diameter in both photopic (bright light) and mesopic (intermediate light) conditions is essential. Larger pupils may require adjustments to ensure the multifocal zones align correctly for optimal vision at all distances.
Consider pupil size when selecting ADD power and lens design; a larger pupil might benefit from a larger intermediate zone. Accurate measurement helps minimize glare, haloes, and fluctuating vision, maximizing patient satisfaction and visual acuity.
Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal Specifics
Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal lenses feature a HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix, enhancing comfort and oxygen permeability for extended wear options.
HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix
The HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix is a breakthrough technology integral to the Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal lens design. This innovative system incorporates a unique wetting agent within the lens material, creating a consistently hydrated surface. This hydration reduces friction between the lens and the eyelid, significantly improving comfort, especially during extended wear.
The matrix attracts and binds water molecules, maintaining a stable tear film and minimizing dryness. This results in a smoother lens surface, enhancing both comfort and deposit resistance, contributing to clearer vision throughout the day. It’s a key feature for successful multifocal lens adaptation.
Oxygen Permeability
Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal lenses boast exceptional oxygen permeability, a crucial factor for maintaining corneal health, particularly with extended wear. Constructed from lotrafilcon B material, these lenses deliver high levels of oxygen to the cornea, minimizing hypoxia and associated complications.
This high Dk/t value supports corneal physiology, reducing redness and discomfort. Adequate oxygen transmission is vital for all contact lens wearers, but especially important for multifocal lenses worn for extended periods, ensuring both comfort and long-term ocular health.
Resources & Support
Alcon provides comprehensive fitting guides and professional services to assist practitioners in successfully fitting Air Optix Multifocal lenses for optimal patient outcomes.
Alcon Fitting Guide Downloads
Alcon offers readily accessible, downloadable fitting guides specifically designed for Air Optix Multifocal lenses. These guides provide a structured, step-by-step approach to the fitting process, ensuring practitioners can deliver personalized vision solutions. They detail the 3 ADD system, refraction techniques, and troubleshooting tips. Accessing these resources simplifies the fitting process and enhances patient satisfaction. Downloadable materials include detailed fitting parameters, diagnostic lens information, and comprehensive guides to address common fitting challenges, ultimately leading to optimal visual outcomes for presbyopic patients.
Contacting Alcon Professional Services
Alcon Professional Services provides dedicated support for eye care professionals fitting Air Optix Multifocal lenses. Practitioners can access expert assistance regarding complex cases, fitting challenges, or lens selection. Support is available through various channels, including phone consultations and online resources. This ensures practitioners have the necessary tools and knowledge to optimize patient outcomes. Alcon’s team offers guidance on the 3 ADD system, troubleshooting, and the latest advancements in multifocal lens technology, fostering successful fittings and enhanced patient care.
