Page 16 - Envision-05-2022

Cover Story

T HE P R E SB Y OP I A OP P OR T UNI T Y

associated with surgical interventions
and difficult to fit with glasses
EDUCATION & MANAGEMENT as well. If both the natural and
It is important to take a proactive pseudo-emmetropes understand and
approach and begin a discussion about accept that there is currently no
presbyopia based on the expected perfect solution for them, then
onset of the condition. The biggest the present-day solution with a
unmet need, and a massive opportunity multifocal contact lens in one eye,
for the eyecare industry, is the along with presbyopia-correcting
“emmetropes”, not just the natural ones pharmaceutical agents, works nicely
but also those without any refractive for them.
errors, because they have had
refractive surgery or wear contact 2. The hyperope, when compared
lenses or glasses for distance, who are to the emmetrope and myope, is the
easiest group, especially the mild-to-
now experiencing presbyopia.
“ The biggest unmet There exist similarities yet distinct moderate latent ones who present
in their mid- to late-30s with blur
differences between the different
at near and without symptoms
need, and a massive
opportunity for the categories of refractive errors and at distance. As an added bonus,
presbyopic treatment options. Knowing
placing anything on them will
eyecare industry, which innovations are available and improve their distance vision, which
they love. Depending on whether
which are in the pipeline can guide
is the “emmetropes”, the conversation about the best or not they want glasses, the
not just the natural individualized options for the patient, discussion can easily turn to contact
ones but also those especially if you take into account their lenses, surgical options and soon-to-
be-introduced pharmaceuticals. The
questions and concerns and adjust,
without any refractive establish and manage their expectations. only proviso is lens handling, as the
errors, because they 1. The natural emmetrope is a presbyopia increases and hyperopes
will always need an auxiliary pair of
have had refractive challenging category. If not already glasses.

surgery or wear wearing reading glasses, they are
often seen when coming in for their 3. Myopes are an interesting lot and
contact lenses or first eye exam while in the midst of require a lot of hand-holding to
glasses for distance, presbyopia. They have no idea what successfully navigate their presbyopia.
They present ECPs with a different
is happening to them because they
who are now have never required any type of set of challenges, depending on what
“ Their biggest concern is, “I can’t see lifestyle and the treatment option
experiencing refractive correction or worn/placed their current treatment modality is,
presbyopia. anything on their nose/face/eyes. what they want to fit their current
up close.” Education and adjusting/
setting their expectations are key to selected. The most difficult challenge
is explaining to myopes why they
managing their journey as their eyes can’t see up close with their distance
progressively change over the coming correction but can see up close when
decades. they take off their glasses/contact
lenses. The idea is often too abstract
Despite laying out their different for them to comprehend.
options, including the new
technologies coming through the Myopes who just want to transition
pipeline, they are often the hardest into progressive add (PAL) lenses and

to convince that their vision will not have no interest in refractive surgery
return to a pre-presbyopia state. or contact lenses, need to be educated
They are usually averse to the risks that there will always be a compromise

14 / MAY - JUNE 2022 / www.ENVISIONMAGAZINE.ca /