Advancements in Contact Lens Design

Contact lens technology is evolving rapidly to address the challenges of our digital-first world. With adults spending 11 hours daily on screens—often using multiple devices simultaneously—manufacturers are developing innovative solutions for comfort, performance, and eye health.

Recent breakthroughs target digital eye strain through designs like CooperVision’s MyDay Energys, which incorporates DigitalBoost technology to ease eye muscle strain and reduce dryness during screen use. Simultaneously, myopia management has advanced with options like MiSight 1 day demonstrating effectiveness in slowing progression even in higher prescriptions through consistent retinal defocus delivery.

The industry is also reimagining wear schedules with Alcon’s PRECISION7—the first one-week replacement lens featuring the ACTIV-FLO System. This “start and end every week fresh” approach offers an intuitive alternative between daily disposables and traditional reusables, balancing practitioner preferences with patient affordability.

Environmental concerns are being addressed through recycling programs like those from Bausch + Lomb, which have collected over 100 million units of contact lens materials that might otherwise contribute to pollution.

Consumer search data reveals that purchase factors dominate online queries, highlighting opportunities for better education around lens removal techniques and dual wear benefits.

These innovations represent a significant shift toward personalized, lifestyle-focused options—giving eye care professionals powerful tools to enhance vision correction while supporting long-term ocular health in our increasingly digital world.

Purchase Factors Drive Online Contact Lens Searches, According to New U.S. & Canadian Research

New research from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) indicates that purchase factors are the primary driver of consumer online contact lens-related searches in the U.S. and Canada, representing 65% of top 20 query volumes. The latest installment of CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative also suggests there is considerable need to enhance patient education specific to contact lens removal, as well as to amplify discussions surrounding dual wear, i.e., patients situationally shifting between contact lenses and glasses.

Report Highlights

Digital Search Methodology

CLI conducted the digital search research using Google “contact lenses” auto-complete results for U.S. and Canada, and TikTok auto-complete results in English, sourced via AnswerThePublic.com, with data collected weekly from January 3-31, 2025. Auto-complete suggestions employ language, location, and trending user behaviors to suggest the most searched phrases over the past several weeks. In addition, CLI analyzed Google Trends data for December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Google Trends reports relative rankings of search terms over a defined period, using completed user behaviors, plus rank-ordered related topics and searches from the same user sample.

Purchase-Related Search

Among the top 20 contact lens-related searches on Google, 10 were purchase oriented, representing 65% of total volume. Of those, five pertained to specific contact lens retailers (53.5% by volume) and four pertained to price (9.75% by volume). That prevalence implies that practices may benefit from proactively discussing purchase dynamics ahead of and during exams, not waiting until a patient reaches the optical center. This includes price-performance alternatives and total cost—elements that prior CLI research found were important to current wearers.

Contact Lens Removal

CLI also reported that consumers online are seeking help removing their contact lenses at least twice as often as insertion. The topic was the second-highest ranked “how to” contact lens search on Google (26.3% by volume) and the first-and third-highest ranked search on TikTok (61% by volume). Over a two-month span, Google searches about removal outpaced searches about insertion by 250% to 400%, and this was consistent among both U.S. and Canadian consumers. The findings suggest that additional emphasis on removal techniques may be warranted during in-office I&R training, as well as pointedly asking about removal challenges during post-fit check-ins.

Glasses AND Contact Lenses

The third topic shared by CLI focused on unfulfilled dual wear opportunities, which the organization quantified in 2023 as representing 36% of all patients. Analysis of top 20 comparative searches on Google for contact lenses finds that 80% use an “or” conjunction, in contrast to 14% for “vs” and 6% for “and”—with the vast majority of contact lens comparisons being made to glasses/spectacles (94%) as opposed to LASIK (6%). Shifting that perspective may be aided if practices develop more intentional processes to prompt dual wear conversations during exams, as well as during ongoing communications with patients between visits.

Vision Expo East 2025 Main Stage Panel

During Vision Expo East 2025 in Orland, three CLI Visionaries shared a review of the most recent data. The Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities panel featured 2025 CLI Visionaries Roxanne Achong-Coan OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Dip CCLRT, of Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique in Ocoee, Fla.; Ryan Corte, OD, of Northlake Eye in Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.; and Nishan Pressley, OD, of Essential Eyecare & Optical in Apopka, Fla., moderated by Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, the 2025 CLI Board chairperson.

Dr. Roxanne Achong-Coan

Dr. Ryan Corte

Dr. Nishan Pressley

Dr. Charissa Lee

(Editorial credit: Contact Lens Institute)

Study Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal Shows MiSight 1 Day Provides Desirable Myopic Defocus for Higher Prescriptions

A newly published study in a peer-reviewed journal reinforces prescribing confidence in CooperVision’s MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses for higher prescriptions, demonstrating their ability to deliver consistent retinal defocus in more prolate-shaped eyes commonly associated with higher myopia. The performance is consistent with the optical profile that has been shown to slow myopia progression in powers to correct low and moderate levels of myopia.^*1

Recently published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, the research journal of the UK’s College of Optometrists, Accommodative Behavior and Retinal Defocus in Highly Myopic Eyes Fitted with a Dual Focus Myopia Control Contact Lens (Meyer D et al.) is now accessible via Open Access.

“This study provides compelling evidence that MiSight 1 day delivers consistent defocus from the treatment zones across a wide range of myopia levels,” said Paul Chamberlain, Senior Director of Research Programs at CooperVision and one of the paper’s authors. “The research marks the latest data in a years-long collaboration to overcome instrumentation limitations and develop a precise, advanced technique for measuring treatment impact.”

Investigators evaluated teenagers and young adults who had high myopia (−6.50 to −9.25 D).† They found that accommodative behavior remained stable fitted with single vision and dual focus lenses. This is particularly relevant as higher levels of myopia are often associated with larger accommodative lags.

Additionally, the work illustrated that MiSight 1 day achieved significant optical defocus across varying viewing distances and retinal regions. Measured retinal defocus within the annular treatment zone was approximately −2.00 D at the foveal center, 10° nasal and temporal and 20° nasal and reduced to −1.90 (0.57) D at 20° temporal. This consistent level of myopic defocus helps ensure effective optical signaling, which is key to slowing myopia progression in wearers.

These findings strengthen the evidence for MiSight 1 day in myopia management for higher prescriptions, offering eye care professionals valuable data to guide clinical decisions and contributing to the expanding research on optical interventions for myopia control. For more information on CooperVision’s myopia control and management advancements, visit www.coopervision.com.

These findings strengthen the evidence for MiSight 1 day in myopia management for higher prescriptions, offering eye care professionals valuable data to guide clinical decisions and contributing to the expanding research on optical interventions for myopia control. For more information on CooperVision’s myopia control and management advancements, visit www.coopervision.com.

* Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period. † Indications for use: MiSight 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.

References

* Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period. † Indications for use: MiSight 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.

CooperVision Myday Energys Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

CooperVision announces the launch of its unique contact lens innovation with CooperVision MyDay Energys which is now available to eye care professionals (ECPs) in Canada. MyDay Energys is the first and only 1-day contact lens combining an innovative aspheric design and material technology to help eye tiredness and dryness associated with digital eye strain, providing extraordinary comfort1 for how patients live today.

Prolonged digital device use is part of everyday life, with adults spending an average of 11 hours a day on digital devices2—and more than 67% reporting that they use two or more devices simultaneously3—which can result in eyes feeling strained and uncomfortable.4

MyDay Energys features DigitalBoost, an innovative single vision aspheric design that delivers a +0.3D boost, which may help ease strain on internal eye muscles so the wearer can shift focus from on-screen to off-screen with less effort.*4 This design is combined with Aquaform Technology, which hydrates contact lenses to twice their weight in water6 for natural wettability and incredible comfort, helping eyes feel less dry, even during times of reduced blinking. Both DigitalBoost and Aquaform Technology are also present in CooperVision’s groundbreaking Biofinity Energys monthly contact lenses.

“As digital device use and preference for 1 day contact lenses have continued to increase, CooperVision truly anticipated the need for MyDay Energys in today’s digital world. Our application of the Energys technology across both monthly and 1-day modalities helps practitioners meet the needs of more patients,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Marketing and Professional Affairs Americas, CooperVision. “In MyDay Energys, the combination of DigitalBoost and Aquaform Technology uniquely addresses both eye tiredness and dryness—two symptoms commonly associated with digital eye strain—while also providing all the benefits of a 1 day lens.”

In a clinical study, patients agreed that when wearing MyDay Energys, their eyes stay comfortable and relaxed throughout the day, despite frequently viewing digital devices.**1 The wearers also agreed that MyDay Energys made their eyes feel less tired,† and their vision was less blurry‡.1

Like the other contact lenses in CooperVision’s MyDay family, MyDay Energys includes built-in UV blocking (86% of UVA and 97% of UVB rays), helping to protect the eye from the transmission of harmful UV rays ҂.

MyDay Energys is the latest addition to CooperVision’s popular MyDay family, which includes MyDay sphere, MyDay toric, and MyDay multifocal contact lenses. MyDay Energys is available in sphere powers of +8.00D to -12.00D (0.50D steps after +5.00D and -6.00D), with no plano option.

“With the MyDay portfolio, you can fit so many patients between the sphere, the expanded toric parameters, and the multifocal,” said Sahil Dosaj, OD, who practices at Miller Optometry in Yucaipa, Calif. “Now, MyDay Energys is another option with additional benefits we can offer our patients. Everyone uses digital devices, so with many sphere wearers—this is the lens for them.”

For more information about MyDay Energys, visit https://coopervision.ca/practitioner/our-products/myday-family/myday-energys.

*Based on a statistically significant difference of the mean change in Accommodative Microfluctuations and when compared to a lens without DigitalBoost™ /Digital Zone Optics® after reading on an iPhone 5 for 20 minutes held at a distance of 25 cm. Study conducted with Biofinity Energys and sphere.

**75% of patients slightly agree/agree/strongly agree

†80% of patients agreed when asked “CLs make my eyes feel less tired” slightly agree/agree/strongly agree

References

‡74% of patients agreed when asked “CLs make my vision less blurry end of day, even after a long day using digital devices” slightly agree/agree/strongly agree

҂WARNING UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear, such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses, because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. Persons should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed.

1. CVI data on file 2018. Prospective, multi-center (5 US sites), open label, bilateral wear, one week dispensing study with MyDay Energys. N=77 habitual soft CL wearers. Patients slightly agree/agree/strongly agree.
2. The Nielsen Company, https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2021/amid-the-covid-19-pandemic-home-is-where-the-connectivity-is/.
3. Vision Council 2019. The Vision Council shines light on protecting sight and health in a multiscreen era. https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-shines-light-protecting-sight-and-health-multi-screen-era. Accessed 19 July 2022.
4. Chantal Coles‐Brennan et al. Management of digital eye strain. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2019;(102)1:18-29.

Common Sense Media. 2021. The Common Sense Census Media Use by Tweens and Teens.

Bausch + Lomb Reports More Than 100 Million Units of Contacts Lenses, Lens Care and Eye Care Materials Collected Through One by One and Biotrue Eye Care Recycling Programs

Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced its exclusive ONE by ONE Recycling and Biotrue Eye Care Recycling programs have collected a total of 103,169,500 units, or 625,026 pounds, of used contact lenses, eye care and lens care materials in the United States. That’s equivalent to the weight of approximately 600 concert grand pianos¹.

“These award-winning recycling programs continue to drive a positive environmental impact, offering eye care professionals, patients and consumers a way to properly recycle used eye health materials,” said Amy Butler, Vice President, Global Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability, Bausch + Lomb.

Due to their small size and the type of plastic used to manufacture them, contact lenses, eye care and lens care materials are often inefficiently processed in standard recycling facilities and may inadvertently end up in landfills or waterways. In the U.S., it is estimated that six to 10 metric tons of contact lenses end up in wastewater each year, polluting aquatic environments and potentially impacting the human food supply.

“The ONE by ONE and Biotrue Eye Care Recycling programs allow my practice and patients to responsibly recycle eye health items—something that wasn’t possible until these programs became available,” said Jennifer Tsai, OD, LINE OF SIGHT, New York. “We’re proud to collect these materials and contribute to a cleaner environment and healthier planet.”

The ONE by ONE Recycling program has collected over 101 million used contact lenses, blister packs and top foils since the program’s launch in November 2016. The Biotrue Eye Care Recycling program, which launched in April 2021, has collected over 1.3 million eye drop single dose units, lens cases and lens solution caps, as well as all Biotrue-branded eye drop bottles2. Bausch + Lomb has a similar contact lens recycling program in Canada called Every Contact Counts.

Bausch + Lomb is committed to implementing, maintaining and enhancing sustainable business practices that support customers, consumers, eye care professionals, patients, employees and communities around the world. Its impact initiatives are measured against several key environmental metrics called “FEWW” – fuel, energy, water and waste. Each Bausch + Lomb facility has annualized goals against these metrics to harness new opportunities and evolve in a sustainable way as the company delivers on its mission of helping people see better to live better. Visit www.bausch.com/impact for more information.

References

Alcon's Groundbreaking PRECISION7: A One-Week Replacement Contact Lens to Start and End Every Week Fresh

Alcon’s PRECISION7 is the only one-week replacement contact lens with the revolutionary 7-day ACTIV-FLO System² that provides 16 hours of outstanding comfort and precise vision, even on day 7.¹ While nearly nine out of ten Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) believe daily disposable lenses are better overall for their patients, more than half of new patients are still being fit in reusable lenses due to cost considerations.^3*

Most optometrists agree that a one-week contact lens replacement schedule would be more intuitive for patients, as compared to a two-week replacement schedule.⁴ WPRECISION7 offers a breakthrough in comfort performance and an easy to remember replacement schedule when daily disposables are not an option.^1,3-4*

“We are making history with the bold innovation of PRECISION7,” said Max Wolf, General Manager, Head of Vision Care and Contact Lenses at Alcon. “Now, patients can start and end every week fresh with a first-of-its-kind contact lens featuring ACTIV-FLO technology.^1,2 This is also the first time we are introducing both sphere and toric lenses to the U.S. market simultaneously, allowing ECPs to address the needs of the majority of patients right away.”

The groundbreaking innovation of the ACTIV-FLO System in PRECISION7 is a unique combination of a water-loving moisturizing agent embedded in the lens matrix and a proprietary replenishing agent that is continually released to moisturize the surface for 7 days.^2,5 “Data show that three out of every four contact lens wearers want their ECPs to talk to them about new contact lens technology,” said Jason Compton, OD, FAAO.^6** “When daily disposable lenses aren’t an option, PRECISION7 provides 16 hours of outstanding comfort and precise vision, even on day 7, at a price our patients can afford.^1,3 It has an easy and intuitive replacement schedule ⁴ that allows my patients to pick their preferred day of the week to replace their contact lenses.”

PRECISION7 is the newest addition to the Alcon WaterInnovation portfolio of contact lenses. Patients can experience PRECISION7 sphere and toric lenses through select ECPs. See product instructions for complete wear, care, and safety information. For more information, please visit www.alcon.com.

References

1 In a 2-week prospective clinical study in the US; n=181; CLEAR CARE Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution used for cleaning and disinfection; Alcon data on file, 2023.
2 Zheng Y, Dou J, Wang Y, et al. Sustained release of a polymeric wetting agent from a silicone-hydrogel contact lens material. ACS Omega. 2022;7(33):29223-29230. doi:
10.1021/acsomega.2c03310.
3 Alcon data on file, 2022.
4 Based on a survey of 500 US optometrists who fit contact lenses; Alcon data on file, 2023.
5 Phan CM, Chan VWY, Drolle E, et al. Evaluating the in vitro wettability and coefficient of friction of a novel and contemporary reusable silicone hydrogel contact lens materials using an in vitro blink model. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024.
6 Based on a survey of 500 US bi-weekly contact lens wearers; Alcon data on file, 2023.
7 Fogt J, Patton K. Long day wear experience with water surface daily disposable contact lenses. ClinOptom. 2022(14):93-99.
8 Perez-Gomez I, Giles T. European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient daily disposable contact lens. ClinOptom. 2014;6:17-23.
9 In a clinical study wherein patients (n=66) used AOSEPT solution for nightly cleaning, disinfecting, and storing; Alcon data on file, 2021.
*Based on agreement with the statement “I believe daily disposable lenses are better for my patients overall.”
**Based on survey of 500 US bi-weekly contact lens wearers.

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