CooperVision announced its scientific research program for the 2021 British Contact Lens Association Virtual Clinical Conference and Exhibition, which began Sunday, June 13. For the first time, the biennial event is streamed live over the course of 30 hours, welcoming members of the global eye care community to experience and discuss the latest category advancements.

More than 20 CooperVision-authored and sponsored investigations were accepted by the conference committee. The papers and posters span a range of topics that underpin the contact lens industry’s evolution, including new data and insights on the complex lifestyle factors involved with addressing presbyopia, misperceptions surrounding soft toric lens fitting, and understanding children’s acceptance of innovative optical interventions for slowing the progression of myopia.

“Our commitment to developing evidence-based approaches for many of the world’s toughest vision challenges involves sharing the underlying research with peers. It’s a privilege to present this work at the 2021 BCLA Conference, especially with its extension to an even more diverse group of eye care professionals (ECPs), scientists, and educators participating virtually,” said Gary Orsborn, Vice President, Global Professional, Medical & Clinical Affairs for CooperVision.

Among several CooperVision presentations regarding presbyopia is an exploration of the daily complexity involved in dealing with the condition, and how this may affect ECP choices. Ethnography Research to Understand the Vision and Switching Experiences of Living with Presbyopia defines three usage personas based on lifestyle choices and self-perception, as well as ranking the activities and locations in which near vision needs were paramount—not all of which were anticipated.

As a leader in soft toric contact lenses, CooperVision continues to discover and tackle ECP hesitancies that present obstacles to successfully fitting people with astigmatism. This dedication is reflected in two papers being presented for the first time at BCLA.

A CooperVision-sponsored project with Eurolens Research delved into the impression that prescribing toric and multifocal soft contact lenses consume more of an ECP’s time compared to sphere options. Chair Time Required for the Fitting of Various Soft Contact Lens Designs employed a retrospective chart review from a large, multi-practitioner optometric practice, examining time stamp data for fitting spherical, multifocal and toric lens designs with the same silicone hydrogel material. The authors found no differences in fitting times, allowing ECPs to cast aside perceptions that have become outdated as soft lens designs and related tools have evolved.

CooperVision’s myopia management studies have set a high bar for the category. During BCLA, three papers across the optical intervention spectrum will add to the profession’s body of knowledge about children’s acceptance:

• Myopia Progression and Slit-Lamp Findings in Children: MiSight^® 1 day Clinical Trial
•  Experience with a Novel Myopia Management Spectacle Lens Technology
• Evaluation of Children in the Netherlands Fitted with Custom-Made Ortho-K Contact Lenses

In addition to its scientific program, CooperVision has organized several educational workshops and sessions as part of the application and skills development tracks. It is also a co-sponsor of the BCLA Contact Lens Evidence-based Academic Reports (CLEAR) initiative, which will factor prominently into the conference.

Click HERE for the full press release.