Abstract
Purpose :
To compare the subjective and objective outcomes for nelfilcon A and narafilcon A in neophytes.
Methods :
A prospective, randomized, sponsor-masked (to subject), parallel group clinical study conducted at 28 sites in Europe enrolled 326 subjects interested in wearing contact lenses but without previous contact lens experience. One group was fit with nelfilcon A lenses and a second group with narafilcon A lenses. Subjects were asked to rate the subjective performance of the study lens, while investigators were asked to rate lens surface performance and calculate training time.
Results :
Approximately 64% of the subjects enrolled were female and the mean age was 26.5 (range=10 to 60). Superior comfort upon insertion was shown for nelfilcon A vs. narafilcon A contact lenses when reported by neophytes (p = 0.004).In addition, investigators rated nelfilcon A superior to narafilcon A for surface dryness (dry areas/non-wetting) (p<0.001) and overall impression of surface wettability (p<0.001). A majority of subjective performance variables favored nelfilcon A, although in some cases statistical significance was not achieved. When asked their agreement to “contact lenses are comfortable to wear,” 85% of subjects wearing nelfilcon A agreed. 62% agreed that nelfilcon A “improve their confidence while playing sports.” 76% of subjects who wore nelfilcon A agreed that “they have given them a greater sense of freedom.” 83% of subjects agreed that nelfilcon A “are easy to care for.” 76% of subjects agreed that nelfilcon A contact lenses gave them “a greater sense of freedom.” 61% of subjects wearing nelfilcon A agreed that “I cannot feel the lenses in my eye.” Overall training time (insertion and removal training time combined) was 20.1 ± 15.3 minutes for nelfilcon A vs. 17.4 ± 14.1 minutes for narafilcon A (p=0.130).
Conclusions :
Neophytes and investigators rated nelfilcon A high in this clinical study. Eye care professionals can be confident in fitting first time contact lens wearers with nelfilcon A.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.