Alcon Releases PRECISION1 for Astigmatism Contact Lenses in U.S.

Alcon released the PRECISION1 for Astigmatism, a daily disposable, silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lens for astigmatism.
 
“PRECISION1, with its cutting-edge SMARTSURFACE technology, has become the fastest-growing daily disposable contact lens brand in the U.S.,” commented Sergio Duplan, president of Alcon North America. “We are thrilled to build on this momentum by introducing PRECISION1 for Astigmatism, Alcon’s first daily disposable, SiHy toric lens at a mainstream price. This innovation offers Eye Care Professionals a lens for more of their astigmatic patients to start in and stay in.”
 
PRECISION1 for Astigmatism arose from DAILIES TOTAL1’s Water Gradient Technology. It features Alcon’s PRECISION BALANCE 8|4 lens design for stable lens-wearing.^1-3 The toric lens settles in under a minute and touts 3º of ideal orientation for a s first fit success rate of 99 percent.² Further, a single 6 o’clock scribe mark eases fitting.²
 
Astigmatism is a common vision problem caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, which can cause images to blur or stretch out. Alcon estimates toric lenses—which correct for astigmatism—compose 23 percent of the $9 billion global contact lens market.⁴ As a result, there is a significant opportunity to attract new contact lens wearers and reduce lens dropouts. For example, studies show that 41 percent of patients are astigmatic,⁵ but only 10 percent wear toric contact lenses.⁶ Further, about 65 percent of contact lens dropouts have astigmatism.⁶
 
PRECISION1 lenses contain the firm’s proprietary SMARTSURFACE Technology, a permanent micro-thin, high-performance layer of moisture that steps up from 51 percent water at the core to over 80 percent water at the outer surface.⁷ These lenses support a stable tear film to deliver lasting performance.⁷
 
“Many of my patients want long-lasting comfort from their daily disposable contact lens, and that’s led me to wholeheartedly prescribe PRECISION1,” said Aaron Luekenga, OD, Heritage Valley Eye Care, Calif. “Now with PRECISION1 for Astigmatism, I can offer my astigmatic patients a stable, next-generation lens-wearing experience.”
 
Beginning in February, PRECISION1 and PRECISION1 for Astigmatism will begin to roll out concurrently worldwide.
 
References
¹ Alcon data on File, 2019.
² Alcon data on File, 2020 (n=78 eyes).
³ In a randomized, subject-masked, multi-site study with over 150 patients; significance demonstrated at the 0.05 level; Alcon data on file, 2005.
⁴ Alcon Estimates and independent market research.
⁵ Luensmann, D., Contact Lens and Anterior Eye (2018).
⁶ Multi-Sponsor Surveys 2014 Gallup target market report.
⁷ Alcon data on file, 2019.