Although 92 percent of eye care professionals (ECP) agree silicone hydrogel 1-day contact lenses are the best choice for patients’ eyes due to their breathability, many prescribe other contact lenses for their patients due to lingering myths about cost, allergy and comfort, according to a series of global studies by Coopervision. The studies also found 75% of current 1-day wearers surveyed agreed they would follow their ECP’s contact lens recommendations, regardless of cost and two thirds said they would be willing to pay more for a lens that provides 100% of the oxygen their eyes need.

ECPs from Japan.the United Kingdom and the United States responded to a pair of in-depth surveys, with 77% of ECPs saying they worry sometimes that their hydrogel 1-day lens wearer’s corneas aren’t getting all the oxygen they need. 95 percent of ECPs say that if cost was equivalent, they would choose silicone hydrogel over hydrogel for 1-day patients. Seemingly prohibitive cost to the patient is the most cited challenge when considering prescribing silicone hydrogel lenses, even though 68% percent of consumers in new omnibus research said they expected their ECP to recommend the healthiest option regardless of cost, according to the studies.

These studies should help eye care professionals better understand what today’s healthcare-aware consumers expect – including their willingness to pay more for a breathable contact lens,” said Coopervision’s senior director of professional and academic affairs, North America, Michele Andrews, in fact, we uncovered that one in two patients would want to talk with their ECP about more breathable contact lenses, if only they knew about the options.”

The Coopervison-contracted research also reported silicone hydrogel 1-day lenses were preferred by ECPs over hydrogel lenses across multiple points of evaluation, including a better wearing experience (90 percent agreement) and higher patient satisfaction (88 percent).

“If you look to other advancements in medicine, they typically come with a cost, yet also with discernible value to patients. In the case of Coopervision, we have the best of both worlds. Our innovation enables ECPs to offer both premium daily disposable contact lenses, as well as 1-day contact lenses, with pricing similar to many hydrogels. We’re continuing to invest in bringing ECPs the broadest 1-day silicone hydrogel portfolio in the world,” said Dr Andrews.