Dispensing Optics - ABDO

38 dispensingoptics July 2009
Answers:
Multifocal contact lenses - from opportunity to success
by Jayne Schofield FBDO(Hons)CL FBCLA
1. Who invented the split bifocal?
a. Andy Franklin b. Benjamin Franklin
c. Benjamin Britten d. Mo Jalie
b is the correct answer. Although a,c,and d are highly esteemed
and creative individuals, it was Benjamin Franklin who is credited
with the invention of the split bifocal.
2. In a survey of 1400 presbyopes in seven European countries,
how many struggle to read medicine labels?
a. 80% b. 60%
c. 40% d. 20%
a is the correct answer. A Bausch & Lomb publication by Dr Phil
Morgan called ‘Sight over Forty’ highlighted many lifestyle
challenges for presbyopes in seven European countries. Dr Morgan
reported that 80% of those surveyed struggle to read medicine
and food labels.
3. According to National Statistics, what percentage of the UK
population is over 40 years of age?
a. 30% b. The majority
c. Almost half d. 60%
c is the correct answer. National Statistics show that almost half
the population is over 40 years of age.
4. If we could avoid contact lens drop-outs and the percentage
of vision corrected people wearing contact lenses could be
maintained into presbyopia, this would mean
a. An additional 3 million contact lens wearers in the UK
b. 32% growth of the total optical market
c. An incremental £33,000 for the average practice
d. All of the above
d is the correct answer. If the percentage of vision corrected
people wearing contact lenses in the younger age group could
be maintained into presbyopia, it would mean an additional three
million contact lens wearers in the UK. This equates to an additional
£840m or 32% growth of the total optical market (assuming an
average wearer with monthly lenses, spends £30 per month,
wearing for 2/3 years).
5. According to a recent study in five European countries, which
statement is not true?
a. 50% of women in their 40’s felt that contact lenses would have
a positive effect on their quality of life
b 90% had never heard of multifocal contact lenses
c. 41% said they would try multifocal contact lenses if their eye
care practitioner recommended them
d. 22% said that contact lenses would be their first choice of vision
correction
b is the correct answer. Researchers felt that lack of awareness of
the vision correction options available was a key factor in the
cause of under-correction with seven out of ten reporting that they
had not heard of the term ‘presbyopia’ and only 59 per cent
aware of associated symptoms.
6. 'Which of the following is NOT commonly cited as a barrier to
fitting multifocal contact lenses?
a. There’s no demand
b. There are no daily disposable options available
c. They take too much chair time
d. There’s too much compromise of vision
b is the correct answer. There is a daily disposable multifocal soft
lens available, so this reason cannot be a barrier to fitting multifocals
7. When emmetropes become presbyopic they draw many
conclusions. Which one is true?
a. They will need near vision correction for the rest of their lives
b. Their distance vision will also be affected
c. This process can be managed by lifestyle changes
d. This process doesn’t happen to short sighted people
a is the correct answer. After the onset of presbyopia, emmetropes
will need near vision correction for the rest of their lives – assuming
they want to see near objects! This will not affect their distance
vision, cannot be avoided by lifestyle changes and will affect
myopes too.
8. Subjective scoring of vision can be helpful when assessing a
patient wearing multifocals. Which statement is true?
a. Scores over 7 may indicate acceptance of simultaneous vision
b. Patients must indicate at least one score of 10 to be successful
c. The scores must be equal for distance and near vision
d. They do not help to determine a prescription change
a is the correct answer. Subjective scoring of distance and near
vision is a good indicator of whether a patient will be happy with
simultaneous vision. Scores over 7 are very encouraging, scores of
10 are quite rare. The scores do not need to be equal for the
patient to be successful and they can help to determine what
power change is required.
9. There are some recommended tips to best gauge success with
multifocals. Which is not recommended?
a. Use real life materials to check near vision
b. Always check vision in the consulting room
c. Have the patient evaluate their vision whilst going about their
daily tasks
d. Use a system of subjective scoring of vision
b is the correct answer. When assessing vision it is advisable for a
patient to trial multifocals in their normal environment, natural
lighting and real life objects are more relevant than a high contrast
chart in a consulting room.
10. The EASE study assessed the role of contact lenses in spectacle
dispensing. Which of the following statements isn’t true?
a. EASE stands for Enhancing the Approach to Selecting Eyewear
b. 38% of patients who participated in the study went ahead and
ordered contact lenses
c. The study was shown to increase the revenue from spectacle
sales
d. The study was conducted at Manchester University
d is the correct answer. The study was conducted by several eye
care practitioners in practice.
11. Staff training is key to promote multifocal contact lenses. Which
statement is incorrect?
a. Well trained staff are better able to answer patients’ questions
b. Keen staff may notice symptoms of presbyopia in their patients
c. Well trained staff are less proactive
d. Staff who feel poorly informed will be less likely to initiate
discussion with browsing patients
c is the correct answer. Knowledgeable staff are key to answering
patients’ questions about contact lenses, or even better, to initiate
the discussion. The really keen staff will even notice the symptoms
of presbyopes such as pushing near objects away to focus and will
be well placed to make appropriate recommendations. So, well
trained staff will therefore handle questions properly, generate
patient interest by proactive discussion and have a higher level of
job satisfaction due to higher self esteem.
12. Practices have a number of tools with which to promote
multifocal contact lenses. Which of the following will not achieve
this?
a. Patient questionnaire b. Posters and display materials
c. Electronic displays d. Appointment diary
d is the correct answer. A questionnaire is an excellent way to
stimulate the patient’s interest in multifocal lenses as these
questions often create discussion about the multifocal contact lens
products.
The answers to ‘A drop of the wet stuff - part one’ will appear in our August 2009 issue