Lens companies refute Daily Mail accusations

Leading contact lens companies have refuted claims made in the Daily Mail that they con patients by charging higher prices for long-life lenses that are near identical to one-day alternatives.

The report in the Daily Mail this week (July 26) said that patients could save £250m a year by switching to daily disposables and reusing them.

It also referred to legal action taken against Johnson & Johnson and Bausch & Lomb in the US, settled with 'multi-million dollar payments to disgruntled customers'.

Newspaper said patients could reuse daily disposables

But J&J said the settlement, which was reached four years ago, in no way implied or acknowledged any wrongdoing on its part.

'We have complied with every provision of the settlement,' said J&J professional affairs director John Meyler.

'1-Day Acuvue was developed at the request of eye care professionals worldwide and patients who extend the wear schedule will forgo the improved eye health, visual acuity and convenience benefits associated with daily disposable lenses,' he said.

Bausch & Lomb responded by accusing the Daily Mail of taking 12-year-old information and reporting on it as though it was new news.

'Bausch & Lomb SofLens One Day daily disposable contact lenses are specially manufactured using a 70 per cent water contact lens material that is not used in any other Bausch & Lomb product,' said a spokesman.

Speaking on behalf of FODO and the multiples who are members of the Federation, executive director David Hewlett said that patients must follow practitioner guidance.

'There are clinical reasons why practitioners advise specific lens types and modalities of wear for individual patients. Disregarding professional advice increases the risk of infections and complications,' he said.

Meanwhile, the BCLA pointed out that there were instances where daily disposable lenses were most appropriate for a patient's eyes.

'Products are not interchangeable and each requires individual fitting and a recommended wearing and replacement schedule by the patient's eye care practitioner.

'Although it is factually correct to state that there is no physical property of daily disposables that limits their use to one day, those who extend the wear schedule will forgo the benefits,' it added.

CIBA Vision was keen to assert that it was not connected to the accusations made.

'Focus Dailies are made using a unique material and proprietory manufacturing process which is not used in the manufacture of any other lens type,' said CIBA marketing director Matt Oerding.

emma.c.white@rbi.co.uk