Learn more about Contact Lens Materials with Dr. Ed Bennett

It’s time for some Woo’s Wisdom! Dr. Ed Bennett delivered an in-depth review of “Contact Lens Materials” for soft and gas-permeable lenses. Here are a few key takeaways from this comprehensive review:

👁️ Flexure resistance has improved over time. Flexure can increase with steep base curves, larger optic zones, lesser center thickness, and hyper dK materials.

👁️ Dr. Bennett recommended selecting high dK lenses of 51-00 for hyperopes, multifocals, and keratoconus patients, and hyper dK (over 100) for extended wear, scleral contact lenses, and corneal reshaping.

👁️ Most doctors believe that plasma treatment is a coating, but it is electrical energy that changes the electrical structure of the lens surface. It’s a great cleaning method to remove any residual oils, solvents, or waxes from the manufacturing process

👁️ Some materials can have Tangible Hydra-PEG added, which is an optically clear coating that encapsulates the contact lens to help improve symptoms of dryness and discomfort of corneal gas-permeable and scleral lenses.

👁️ Soft silicone hydrogel lenses have significantly evolved in terms of wettability and rigidity. For example, 3rd generation lenses have features that enhance natural wettability without needing a wetting agent or surface treatment.

Dr. Ed Bennett’s presentation and handouts are available at WooU.org. Be sure to check them out soon!