THIRTY PERCENT of all people in the world are myopic — nearsighted — and by 2050, it is estimated that 50%, about 5 billion people, will be.
This according to data from the Brian Holden Vision Institute cited by Dr. Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso, former president of the Optometric Association of the Philippines and chairperson of Healthy Athletes Program of the Special Olympics Philippines, during a media launch on “Breakthrough Contact Lenses” on May 15 at BGC, Taguig.
Her presentation also showed that by 2020, an estimated 36.9 million Filipinos will be myopic. Myopia is a hereditary condition when one or both parents are also myopic.
With the increasing population of nearsighted patients, Alcon, an American eye care medicine and technology manufacturer, has developed Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus, one-day use contact lenses with blink-activated moisture technology. It claims that it is the first and only contact lens with the moisture technology (with moisture agents HPMC, PVA, and PEG) which provide comfort and cushioning effect. Patients as young as eight years old may use the product which may be worn up to 20 hours.
“A stable tear film is important for visual acuity, comfort, and a successful contact lens-wearing experience,” Dr. Dichoso was quoted as saying in a press release.
A clinical survey done in Italy, Spain, and Portugal showed that 78% of teenagers expressed an interest in wearing contact lenses, while 72% of parents agreed to teens wearing contact lenses.
Also present at the media launch were actress Dimples Romana along with her daughter Christiana, and athlete, TV host, and Dailies ambassador Gretchen Ho.
“Don’t be afraid to take that first step because you’ll never know what kind of life it might show you,” citing her experience as a volleyball player. “If there’s one thing I can’t live without it’s not my phone, [it’s would be] my contact lenses,” Ms. Ho said.
A 30-piece pack of Alcon Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus costs P1,495 and is available in leading optical clinics. Use upon advice of optometrist. For more information, visit www.myalcon.ph. — MAPS
