News

British contact lens and solutions manufacturer Sauflon says it is challenging the global giants of the contact lens business with a third generation silicone hydrogel lens that will be available exclusively to optical practices.

Clariti is a daily wear SiH lens that has been five years in development and combines the properties of SiH materials to produce a healthy and comfortable lens. Bradley Wells, Sauflon's UK sales director, said there were several aspects of the lens that made its introduction significant.

The lens itself (see products) uses a SiH material that allows more than 3.5 times the level of oxygen required for maximum ocular health, it's material has a lower modulus than other SiH products making it less stiff, it has the highest water content of any SiH product making it more compatible with the eye's surface and does not have a surface treatment giving it excellent levels of wettability.

Sauflon claims that in trials wearers put the lens' comfort on a par with the market leading silicone hydrogel lenses.

Wells said this all came together to provide a lens with the best aspects of comfort and ocular health.

Another big difference for the lens is its availability. Clariti will only be available to eye care professionals and it will be sold as a bundled package with Sauflon's Synergi solution. 'This is a great way for practitioners to keep their solutions business as well.' Neither product would be available in supermarkets or over the internet, he added.

The parameters of the lens are different from other products which means patients cannot be easily switched to another brand of lens. This would allow practitioners to develop their contact lenses business and not see patients simply go and buy cheaper products elsewhere. This was a route Sauflon had established with all of its contact lenses and has proved very successful. He said 'Opticians are the gatekeeper for contact lens prescribing and Clariti allows practitioners to provide their patients with an extremely comfortable and healthy lens whilst protecting their contact lens at the same'

'As a privately-owned British company we have challenged the giants.'

Providing exclusive eye care news, information and educational needs every week, including a FREE CET programme. Subscribe to Optician Print Edition.