When Nike MaxSight tinted contact lenses (CLs) were first introduced commercially in 2005, there rightfully were concerns.1 No one had previously tinted contact lenses in this way, and certainly not intended them for use by patients who needed sun and glare protection but who might not need optical correction. When MaxSight CLs were taken off the market in 2008 – because of contamination issues with the storage and cleaning solution, not the lenses themselves – over 2,500 eyecare practitioners throughout the US were actively prescribing and dispensing the lenses.
One recognized short-coming of MaxSight was that it was available only as 30-day replacement lenses. The technology to be able to tint other materials, such as those used for daily disposable CLs, did not exist. And that meant that any patients who intended to use the lenses on multiple days would need to clean, disinfect, and store them properly and safely. Nonetheless, in the few short years that MaxSight was available, there were no reports to the FDA about injuries, infections, or other adverse reactions when using the MaxSight lenses, even in light of the fact that about two-thirds of users were emmetropes or first-time CL wearers.
But the landscape changed in recent years. VizionFocus, working collaboratively with Performance Vision Technologies, Inc., (PVTI) developed a method of tinting an established and well-tolerated daily disposable CL material, ocufilcon D, that could maintain a shelf-life of 5 years and does not leach. Thus, combined with the same tint and filter characteristics as MaxSight – they block 100% of UV and over 99% of “blue” (up to 500 nm) – ALTIUS® Amber and Grey-Green Performance-Tinted Single-Use CLs came into being!
Of course, a couple of critics now were skeptical of the efficacy of ALTIUS® CLs, how they were cleared by the US FDA, and how they are marketed and dispensed.2 Make no mistake, ALTIUS® CLs went through rigorous and lengthy testing before receiving FDA clearance.3 The lens material provides for good comfort and handling, with no substantiated adverse effects reported to the FDA over its 20+ year history of use by other CL manufacturers. ALTIUS® CLs are being prescribed successfully for athletes, much in the same way that MaxSight was used, and now especially for those who participate in water sports, since the daily disposable modality does not require cleaning or storage. And – because of the unique light-filtering characteristics and total tint immersion – ALTIUS® CLs can be used to treat patients with light sensitivity due to migraine, concussion, mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, and other conditions.4 In addition, a NIH-sponsored study is investigating the use of ALTIUS® CLs for myopia management in 7-12 year-old subjects.5 Finally, ALTIUS® CLs are available in the US only by prescription and through a qualified eyecare practitioner.
Rest assured, ALTIUS® CLs are not merely “cosmetic” or “novelty” tints. They are designed for specific purposes and conditions. And, as all regular wearers will attest, they are safe and they work!
References
