Dr. Kris Kerestan Garbig

krisgarbig@fuse.net

Children…Ages 8 – 10 yrs.

Preteen…Ages 11 – 12 yrs.

Teen…Ages 13 – 18 yrs.

Millennials…Ages 21 – 35

Generation X…Ages 36 – 47

Boomers & Beyond…Above Age 50

Survey completed

August 2010

Studied the Prescribing habits

of 576 American Optometrists

when fitting Kids in ContactLenses

AGE FACTORS in prescribing

97% of the O.D.s surveyed said they fit

CLs on patients younger than 18 years

In fact, 41% of all the CL patients in their

practices are actually kids under the age of 17 years

Of the 41% of Kids fit in CL: 2% were between 8-9 yrs

7% were between 10-12 yrs 13% were between 13-14 yrs

19% were between 15-17 yrs

< 8 yrs

Age 8-9

Age 10-12

Age 13-14

Age 15-17

66% of Docs. 15-17 years of age

50% of Docs. 13-14 years of age

20% of Docs. 10-12 years of age

33% say due to DAILY DISPOSABLES:

Why Daily Disposables?1. Most Healthy option

2. Minimal Care/ No CL Soln’s

3. Extremely Flexible

Healthiest option:

• New, Fresh, Clean CL Q day• No chance for buildup of protein

or CL debris• Best choice for Allergy patients

Minimal Care/No Solutions:

• Saves Time and saves Money on Solns

• Eliminates Soln. Related Red Eyes

• Eliminates Soln. Related Allergies

Extremely Flexible:

• Sports• Dance• Gymnastics • Drama• Swimming• Other Activities

23% say due to IMPROVED CL MATERIALS: (Silicone Hydrogel)

Extremely comfortable Increased O2 to cornea Ease of handling UV protection (Important to 85% parents)

19% say due to Parent or Child Request:

More awareness of benefit of CL for school and sports activities

Friends wearing CL

10% say due to Current Research onthe benefits of Kids and CL wear:

Articles in Magazines – Woman’s Day, U.S. News and World Report, Ladies Home Journal

Info. on the Internet

Interest and Motivation of the Child ( Most important factor to 96% of O.D.s)

Maturity Level

Hygiene

Parental help and support

Ease of Handling Oxygen Permeability Comfort Visual Acuity Frequency of Replacement UV protection

• Total of 484 myopic children aged 8 - 11 years of age

• Five clinical centers in the U.S.

• All children previously wore glasses

50% of children continued in Glasses 50% of children fit in CL’s

93 % chose Daily Disposables 7 % chose 2 Week Disposables

After 3 yrs. their Vision-Related Quality

of Life was assessed using an in-depth profile questionnaire of 26 questions( Strongly disagree to Strongly agree)

Increase Q of Life of 14.2 units in CL wearers Increase Q of Life of 2.1 units in glasses wearers

Improved Self Esteem in NonVision-related areas:

Athletic Performance Appearance Peer Perception

Fitting Criteria used the 3 “Ms”

1. Maturity 2. Motivation3. Mom

Contact Lenses improve children’s quality of life in areas beyond visionincluding athleticperformance, peer acceptance and appearance

Lenses allow more freedom of movement, excellent peripheral (side) vision necessary for a full field of view, and less distortion than glasses because the lens sits directly on the eye.

In the classroom, clearer vision allows for deeper participation and understanding of materials

◦Display office brochures to stimulate interest and to prepare parents and kids for a conversation about CL’s

◦Consider keeping trials in the exam rooms as

a visual reminder for you and the parent

◦Use conversation starters...

“Have you ever thought about wearing contacts?” or “Many people like wearing contacts for activities like sports, would you like to try them today?”

◦Include both the parent AND the child in the conversation

◦Optometric Staff must show patience and care during the initial fitting/training

◦Send kids home with wear/care instructions

◦On-line resources from CL manufacturers◦Sign up for Acu-minder ◦Give the kids a way to communicate with the

office…email or cell # they can text

Short Attention Spans (Keep exam process simple)

Small Palpebral Fissures(Choose a small diameter CL)

Developing Dexterity(Train parents insertion and removal also)

* Make sure an extra care kit is given for school*

Challenging attention spans and easily bored

Busy sports and school schedules

Increasing life responsibilities and

CL care Daily Disposables * Extra Care Kits*

KISS principle

KeepIt

SimpleSucceed

Always give Extra Care Kits…Locker,Backpacks, Sports Bags

Compliance Contract…Signed by the CLwearer in which they take FULLresponsibility for proper wear and care

*Acuminder*

Compared CL wear in Children vs. Teens

84 children between 8-12 yrs.

85 teens between 13-18 yrs.

Protocol…fit, I/R training, FU appts. @ 1 week, 1 month and 3 month

Three variables were measured◦Eye Health◦Ease of Fit◦Quality of Life Issues

EYE HEALTH

◦ Equal adaptation betw. Child and

Teen◦ No serious adverse

effects or eye health issues

EASE of FIT◦ Essentially the same◦ By 3 months 83% of the children vs. 89% of teens found it

easy to clean/care for CL◦ By 3 months little if

any parental assistance was needed

Quality of Life improved in ALL areas◦ Activities◦ Satisfaction◦ Appearance◦ Peer Perceptions◦ Overall Vision◦ Far Vision

Millennials- Age 21 - 35

Gen. X.- Age 36 - 47

Boomers &Beyond- Above Age 50

Characteristics:

Age 21-35

56% wear CL

CL wearer from earlier age

Characteristics:

Tech Savvy -“Grown up” with technology

Active lifestyles

Self Educating( Internet )

Visual Needs:

Maintain clear and comfortable vision

Maintain active lifestyle

Best CL options:

Daily disposables

Two week disp.

One month disp.  

PT Wearers: Special occasions Weekend trips Wedding Swimming Beach vacation Sports

FT Wearers: Everyone! Dry Eye Allergies Hairdressers Bartenders Construction Pilots Flight Attendants

Erratic schedules New moms Shift workers Med. School residents Frequent travelers Firefighters EMS Police officers

Characteristics:

Between ages 36- 49

30% wear CL

CL wearer from earlier age…92%want to stay in CL

Computers Digital camerasMobile PhonesDigital camcorders

Characteristics:

Tech Savvy Learned technology

in late teens to early 20’s and have witnessed technological advancements

Active Lifestyle

Visual Signs:

Moving reading material away

Use of bright lights

Avoiding small print

Visual Symptoms:

Eye Strain before BLUR

Tired eyes

Difficulty focusing

Visual Symptoms:

Headache

Eye Fatigue

Burning & watering

Dry Eye

Visual needs:

Maintain active lifestyle

Maintain freedom andflexibility

Maintain confidence

Visual Needs:

Maintain youthful appearance

Maintain clear andcomfortable vision

Maintain Clear Vision

• Reading paper• Computer/Internet• Cell phone/Texting• Mobile Internet• Ipod/MP3• GPS• Read a menu

90% use the Internet

Spend at least 8 hrs. per week on line

82% use a cell phone

Average 236 texts per month

Best Candidates:

Good motivation Realistic expectations

Healthy ocular surface

Discuss symptoms early, educate andset expectations

Present treatment options 3-5 yrs before age 40

Mono.= Talking w/ one person at a timeMulti.= Talking w/ one person in a crowd

Treat any underlying DES

Use SiHy CL to increase O2

Best treatment options:

Multifocal CL - Daily or Planned Replacement

Monovision - Daily or Planned Replacement

Distance + Single Vision Near rx.

 

Do you findwearing glassesto be a hassle?

Motivation factor

Would you be ableto accept a CL that meets your visualneeds for only 80%of your daily tasks?

Expectation factor

OutstandingGrowth Opportunity:

56% of 18-35 yr olds wear CL

Only 30% of 35-49 yr olds wear CL(Decrease of 26%)

Characteristics:

Age 50 and above

Only 11% wear CL

Already wear multifocals or

reading glasses

Characteristics:

Learned technology in late 20s/early 30s

Need for near correction

80% interested in multifocal CL

Visual Signs: (Similar to Eps)

Moving reading material away

Use of bright lights

Avoiding small print

 

Best Candidates:

Good motivation Realistic expectations

Healthy ocular surface

Educate and set realistic expectations

Present treatment options Mono.= Talking w/ one person at a timeMulti.= Talking w/ one person in a

crowd

Treat any underlying DES

Use SiHy CL to increase O2

Best treatment options:

Multifocal CL - Daily or Planned Replacement

Monovision - Daily or Planned Replacement

Distance + Single Vision Near rx.

 

Any ????