The case for daily disposable contact lenses

It has been two decades since the introduction of daily disposable (DD) contact lenses and it seems that eye care practitioners have finally spoken, judging by the trends in prescribing habits. According to a recent survey DD accounted for at least 40 per cent of worldwide contact lens sales in 20121 and Morgan et al reported that DDs comprised of 33 per cent of all lens fits.2 This was the average of the 36 countries compared to 17 per cent in the US.1

For years now DD prescribing in the US seems to have lagged mysteriously behind countries such as the UK and Norway and Japan. This could be attributed to the popularity of Silicone Hydrogel (SiH) lenses in the US which until fairly recently were not available in DD form. However that might change quite substantially in the near future as the survey conducted by Nichols reported that 64 per cent of respondents anticipate prescribing SiH DD this year.1