Online tool helps CL wearers

Jacksonville, FL-An online reminder tool (Acuminder, Vistakon) is helping contact lens wearers adhere to recommended replacement frequencies and discard their lenses at the scheduled time.  

Since the tool’s launch in 2007, almost 40,000 contact lens wearers have registered for the free service (www.acuminder.com), which sends automatic reminders via e-mail and/or cell phone text messages about when to change contact lenses. The tool now also can prompt wearers on when to buy new contact lenses and when to schedule eye exams.

Nearly 700 users of the tool recently responded to a questionnaire about their contact lens-wearing habits. Ninety-five percent said the tool helps them remember when to change their lenses, and 66% said it has improved their contact lens replacement.

Before enrolling to use the tool, 40% of survey respondents who wear 2-week lenses reported that they changed their lenses at or less than every 14 days (average days worn: 19.9). Since using the reminder, 76% said they now change their lenses at or less than every 14 days (average days worn = 14.7).