Using Contact Lenses to Control Myopia Progression · Managing Director of David Thomas Contact...

Inside... New Material Science Lab opensat Lagado in Englewood (USA)p. 2

William Thomas, recently retired as Managing Director of David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd.p. 5

Magic Is a Winner atAdvertising Festivalp. 6

May 2012Number 9

At the Centre for Myopia Research,part of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Optometry,we conduct myopia research usinga multidisciplinary approach (clini-cal, genomic and proteomic). Forthe past several years, our researchteam has been studying myopiacontrol in children using orthokera-tology. This article recaps findingsfrom some of our research, as wellas studies conducted by others.

LORIC and CRAYONIn 2005, we published resultsfrom the Longitudinal Orthokeratol-ogy Research in Children (LORIC)study in Hong Kong. In this pilotstudy, we found that axial lengthgrowth in children wearing ortho-keratology lenses slowed by 46%compared with that of childrenwearing spectacles. The LORICstudy’s result was confirmed in theCorneal Reshaping and Yearly Ob-servation of Nearsightedness(CRAYON) study in the UnitedStates by Walline and coworkersat The Ohio State University.

ROMIOThe Retardation of Myopia in Orthokeratology (ROMIO) study,which began in 2008, recruited 77children, 7 to 10 years old, withmyopia not more than 4.50D. Inthis randomized, single-maskedstudy, subjects were assigned totreatment with either orthokeratol-ogy or spectacles, and the exam-iners were masked with respect toaxial length measurements. After2 years of monitoring, the axiallength of subjects in the orthoker-atology group had increased by0.36mm compared with 0.63mmfor those in the spectacle group.Orthokeratology had slowed axiallength growth by 43%.

Based on the findings of thisstudy, we now confirm that ortho-keratology retards axial lengthgrowth and controls the progres-sion of myopia in children. At theend of 2 years, the increase in my-opia (axial length equivalent) was1.00D in the orthokeratologygroup and 1.75D in the spectacle

� Dr. Pauline Cho recently discussed her work in the ROMIO andTO-SEE studies, both funded by Menicon, at a press conference atThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Optometry.Continued on page 2

MYOPIA CONTROL By Pauline Cho, PhD, FAAO, FBCLA

Using Contact Lenses to Control Myopia ProgressionEvidence is mounting to support the use of orthokeratology for myopia control in children.

0512_MenNews-12.qxd:Layout 1 5/15/12 11:48 AM

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group. The 2-year results will be publishedsoon in a peer-reviewed journal.

TO-SEEThe Toric Orthokeratology–Slowing Eyeball Elongation (TO-SEE) study exam-ined the potential of toric orthokeratologylenses to reduce astigmatism and slowmyopia progression. We recruited 37 children, 6 to 12 years old, with my-opia not more than 5.00D and astigma-tism between 1.25D and 3.50D. This

study concluded that toric orthokeratol-ogy lenses reduced astigmatism by 79% after 1 month of lens wear. At theend of the 2-year period, the increase inaxial length was 0.31mm, which was alsosignificantly slower compared to axiallength growth in the spectacle wearers in the ROMIO study.

Safe, effective myopia controlThanks to advancements in science andtechnology, the lens designs and materi-

als for orthokeratology have greatly improved. Highly oxygen permeablelenses with enhanced corneal reshapingpotential bring convenience to wearers in their daily lives. Orthokeratology is a reversible treatment, which can bestopped at any time. With the proven results in refractive error correction, myopia control and astigmatism reduction, it represents a safe and effective solution for myopic and astigmatic adults and children.

Continued from page 1

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

New Material Science Lab Opens at Lagado in Englewood, Colo., USAState-of-the-art manufacturing facility to serve as resource for customers, vendors and employees.

The renovation and expansion of La-gado Corporation has been completed,and the Material Science Laboratory(MSL) is now fully operational and readyto receive visitors. The MSL, which fea-tures state-of-the-art manufacturing ca-pability for custom soft and GP lenses,is destined to become a valuable re-source for Menicon’s laboratory partnersaround the world.

Led by Tony Parrinello, a seasoned in-dustry professional with more than 25years of contact lens manufacturing ex-perience, the MSL will:

• serve as a center of excellence forcustomers, vendors and employees tolearn about and see Menicon’s manu-facturing technologies

• provide customers with hands-onsupport in custom soft and GP lensmanufacturing and the use of lens de-sign software

• handle product release testing for softand GP materials produced in the fa-cility

• provide real-time feedback on manu-facturing characteristics of soft andGP materials under development.

Although the paint is barely dry in theMSL, it has already started to draw theattention of customers from around theworld, who are excited to share theirthoughts and ideas with like-mindedprofessionals.

“By making this considerable capital in-vestment, Menicon America is demon-strating its strong commitment to thecustom contact lens industry for manyyears to come,” said Mark Allen, VicePresident of Manufacturing.

� Robert Vawter (left) and Tony Parrinello calibrate the Material Science Lab’s new ALM lathe.


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Although contact lenses are medical de-vices that must be prescribed by li-censed professionals, advances inmanufacturing technology and the abilityto mass-produce high-quality lenseshave led to their commoditization. As aresult, the business of contact lenses isoften subject to the same challenges asany commodity, such as price wars, In-ternet sales and bait-and-switchschemes. Affordability is a welcomebyproduct of high-tech production meth-ods, but in the case of contact lenses,this trend tends to de-emphasize thecritical role of eye care professionals inensuring safe, healthy lens wear.

The Menicon Eye Life Support (MELS)Plan is a carefully devised program thatbalances the commoditization of con-tact lenses with the need for profes-sional care. Launched in Japan in 1999,

this revolutionary program was con-ceived and directed by President Hidenari Tanaka and a think tank withinMenicon Co. Ltd. Here is a brief de-scription of how the program works.

Benefits for patientsTo join the MELS Plan, patients sign acontract, pay a small one-time member-ship fee and then begin paying amonthly fee for their lenses, which is au-tomatically debited from their bank ac-counts. For an additional monthly fee,patients may also have lens care solu-tions delivered to their homes. SeeTable 1 for a breakdown of fees con-verted from Japanese yen (82 yen =US$1.00).

All types of lenses — standard and pre-mium GPs, hydrogel and silicone hydro-gel 2-week replacement, soft monthly

replacement and daily disposablelenses in spherical, toric and multifocaldesigns — are available through theMELS Plan. Patients may even changefrom one modality to another. Lensesare dispensed at the clinic after exami-nation at 3-month, 6-month or yearly in-tervals, depending on the modality.

Members of the MELS PLan are guar-anteed a full year’s supply of lenses, soif lens powers change or lenses aredamaged, they can obtain a free re-placement at any MELS doctor’s clinicor optical shop. Lost GP and conven-tional soft lenses are replaced at a re-duced fee.

Another benefit of being a MELS Planmember is that patients can visit any ofthe 1,500 MELS doctors’ offices or op-tical shops in Japan to receive lenses in

an emergency. In fact,during the earthquakeand tsunami last yearin northeast Japan,the MELS databasewas able to supplylenses to patientswhen they were un-able to visit their usualMELS offices.

Improved complianceCompliance is a keybenefit for patientsand doctors within theMELS Plan. Membersreceive reminders toreturn for their annualeye examinations, andlenses are dispensedonly after the examina-tion. Patients wearingfrequent replacementor daily disposable

MARKETING

Popular Program Revolutionizes ContactLens Sales and Care in JapanThis convenient, cost-effective method for patients to purchase theirlenses also emphasizes the importance of professional care.

� For a small one-time membership fee and a nominal monthly fee, patients receive their contact lenses at prescribed inter-vals. For an additional fee, they may add lens care products to their plan.

Continued on page 4

Product MembershipFee

Monthly Fee Lost LensFee(per lens)

Lens Only Care Plus Lenses

Both Eyes One Eye Both Eyes One Eye

2 week replacement

PremiO

$38.41

$26.89 $17.93 $37.13 $28.17

No Charge

PremiO Toric

Duo

Bifocal

1 monthreplacement

Month Wear $23.05 $15.37 $33.29 $25.61Month Wear Toric

Daily Disposable Menicon 1 Day $56.34 – – –

GP lens

Tinu $64.02 $26.89 $17.93 $37.13 $28.17 $64.02

Menicon Z

$64.02 $23.05 $15.37 $33.29 $25.61 $64.02Eyest

Menicon EX

ConventionalSoft lenses

Soft S

$64.02$23.05 $15.37 $33.90 $25.61

$64.02Soft 72

Soft 72 Toric

Soft MA

Bifocal GP Menifocal Z $42.26 $28.17 $52.50 $38.41 $128.05

TABLE 1. MELS Plan At-a-Glance


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soft lenses are nottempted to over-wear them, be-cause they receivenew lenses at theirnext visit beforethey use their lastpair of lenses.

Complianceamong GP lenswearers is also im-proved when patients join the MELSPlan. A study performed at a MELSdoctor’s clinic found that the averageMELS GP lens wearer replaced hislenses, on average, every 11.7 months,as opposed to non-MELS patients whoreplaced their lenses every 37.9

months.1 In addition,patients enrolled in theMELS Plan were morelikely to see the doctoron a regular basis.

Additional benefitsfor practitionersThe MELS Plan also offers some businessbenefits to practitioners.The membership fee

and a percentage of the monthly feesare paid to the MELS office/shopwhere patients are supported. In addi-tion, because Menicon administers theprogram, practitioners do not have topurchase and stock products. Thissaves administrative costs and allows

them to concentrate on providing professional services to their patients.

Popular program expandingMenicon’s focus in Japan is to continueto expand the number of MELS Planmembers. All in all, the MELS Plan has made Menicon lenses more affordable for patients, while puttingthem within a system that strongly encourages regular eye examinationsand discourages overwear of lenses. It represents a win-win-win for Menicon, doctors and patients.


Reference

1. Shimamoto S, Ariwaka Y. Compliance with rigid gaspermeable contact lens wear among clinic membersand non-members. J Jpn CL Soc. 2010:52;194-200.

LENS CARE

Menicon Assumes Distribution of SOLOCARE AQUA® in Canada and the EEACompany takes a decisive step toward a larger presence in the soft lens and lens care market.

Through an exclusive part-nership with Eye Shel-

ter SA, the Menicongroup has begunmarketing theSOLOCARE AQUA®

Lens Care Systemin Canada and theEuropean EconomicArea. This new rela-tionship will en-

hance Menicon’s brand awareness andprovide a wider distribution base for itsexisting soft lens products and futuresoft lens launches.

“With its high standards in comfort, safetyand quality, SOLOCARE AQUA® is a per-fect fit with Menicon’s prioritization of eyehealth, safety, and innovation,” said Es-ther da Silva, Head of Global Marketing,Soft Division. In addition, David Moreira,Vice President of Marketing for MeniconAmerica Inc., noted, “This is a unique op-portunity for Menicon. It will allow us tostrengthen our presence in Canada andEurope and help us establish a stronguser base for all of our products.”

The SOLOCARE AQUA® Lens CareSystem includes a multipurpose softlens solution and a unique antimicrobiallens case. SOLOCARE AQUA® solu-tion, which was specifically formulatedfor use with silicone hydrogel material,has a proven track record as one of thesafest and most convenient soft lenscare solutions. Key ingredients includeprovitamin B5 (dexpanthenol), a com-fort agent that creates a barrier ofmoisture around the lens, and sorbitol,

a humectant that absorbs and bindsmoisture to the lens. Together, theseagents create the HydroLock® effectthat locks in moisture and improves hy-dration for all-day comfort. SOLOCAREAQUA® brings additional safety benefitswith its MicroBlock® lens case, which isimpregnated with antimicrobial silverions to kill bacteria on contact and re-duce biofilm buildup. This system alsooffers a convenient 5-minute “express”cleaning/disinfecting process.

6-10 ARVO, Fort Lauderdale, USA10-12 EFCLIN, Budapest, Hungary24-27 BCLA, Birmingham, UK

9-10 EurOK, Madrid, Spain27-July 1 AOA Optometry’s Meeting, Chicago, USA

6-8 Orthokeratology Society of Oceania, Gold Coast, Australia

5-8 International Vision Expo West, Las Vegas, USA7-12 ISCLS, Ashford, UK14-16 ECLSO, Nice, France

SEPTEMBER

c a l e n d a rMAY

JUNE

JULY


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Please tell us about your background.I was born and raised in south London. Asa youngster, I had varied interests fromchess club to cars and rallying. I learned todrive a car as soon as legally possible andbought my first car for £25 GBP. To payoperating costs, I took part-time gardeningjobs, which turned into a full-time businessduring school holidays.

After graduating from secondary school, Ihadn’t quite settled on a career, so I pur-sued a business degree at Croydon Col-lege in London. This appealed to mebecause the syllabus was broad, coveringlaw, accounting, statistics, administrationand many other aspects of business. Littledid I know how useful these courseswould be later in life.

After college, I joined an assurance com-pany in London, working my way up frommanagement trainee to assistant managerof the new business department.

What prompted you to join your father’s company?My father was managing director of a con-tact lens company that was acquired by alarge pharmaceutical firm. A year later, hefound himself without a job. After consider-ing various business options, he decided tocapitalize on his experience with contact

lenses and start his own company. In1972, he founded David Thomas ContactLenses Limited (DTCL).

I was eager to join DTCL from the begin-ning, as I had decided a career in assur-ance was not what I wanted, but it wasdeemed prudent that I keep my currentjob to ensure a steady income while thecompany was getting started. When wewere confident that DTCL would be suc-cessful, I joined the company, and the rest,as they say, is history.

You worked on the production line fora time. Tell us about that experience.I had always intended to work on the ad-

ministrative side of the business,but I realized that if I was going tohelp my father run the business, Ineeded to learn about manufac-turing contact lenses. To this day,I strongly believe that to run abusiness successfully, you shouldhave a thorough knowledge ofwhat makes it tick.

After learning how to manufac-ture PMMA lenses (gas perme-able lenses had not beeninvented in 1973), I worked withthe early HEMA soft lens materi-

als. At that time, soft lenses were lathe cut,and I wanted to make sure we could pro-duce these new lenses.

On the production line, I often had towork with lenses that needed adjustingor repowering. I also dealt with technicalqueries, which meant I had to hand-write many letters on a daily basis, ascomputers and word processors hadnot yet been invented. Taking the time towrite to customers to provide technicalsupport helped build the business andcustomer loyalty.

From my experience on the productionline, I realized DTCL would be success-ful if we always produced lenses to thehighest standard and delivered themquickly to our customers. I also realizedthat to do this and stay ahead of thecompetition, we had to constantly investin the latest lathing and manufacturingtechnology.

What sets DTCL apart from othercompanies in the market?Our ability to manufacture GP and softspecialty lenses sets us apart from thecompetition. Over the last few years, wehave concentrated on this aspect of ourproduct range and have expanded ourcustomer base beyond the United King-dom. We now export our lenses to manycountries throughout the world.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Behind the Scenes at MeniconIn this issue, we interview William Thomas, who recently retired as Managing Director of David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd.

Continued on page 6

Mr. Thomas received a special gift from Menicon at his 60th birthday celebration.

Directors of DTCL. Left to right: Graham Avery, Peter Rolfe,Doreen Browne, William Thomas and Kevin Mitchell.

To this day, I strongly believe thatto run a business successfully,you should have a thoroughknowledge of what makes it tick.... From my experience on the production line, I realized DTCLwould be successful if we alwaysproduced lenses to the higheststandard and delivered themquickly to our customers.


I am also proud of the very capable teamof people I have led over many years.They are our greatest asset. Their diverseskills make a strong team that is focusedon meeting our customers’ needs.

How has joining Menicon benefitedDTCL (and vice versa)?There comes a point in a company’s de-velopment when it can benefit frombeing part of a larger and stronger or-ganization with greater resources. Tocontinue to invest in the latest machineryat the same pace we maintained in thepast, I knew we needed to be part of alarger organization, but I also wanted tobe sure we joined a company with thesame values as DTCL. Menicon, which isalso a family-founded company, has builta well-deserved reputation for producinghigh-quality products. Access to its ex-pertise has already resulted in tangibleimprovements to our production, and Iam confident they will continue.

DTCL produces a wide range of spe-cialty lenses in a variety of materials

thanks to a versatile and flexible produc-tion line. Our specialty products willstrengthen the range of lenses that Meni-con can offer its customers.

Menicon owns the design rights to RoseK, the most-prescribed lens for kerato-conus patients throughout the world. Thecompany now also owns a leading manu-facturer and distributor of these productsworldwide. DTCL’s expertise with this de-sign will allow Menicon to strengthen itsmanufacturing base for this lens in manycountries with the potential for new manu-facturers and distributors.

What does the future hold for DTCL?DTCL will continue to be run by codirec-tors Graham Avery and Kevin Mitchell,ably assisted by Peter Rolfe and DoreenBrowne. It will become the center of excel-lence for the Rose K brand and will ex-pand this aspect of production to supplyother Menicon companies. I am confidentthe company will continue to grow andbecome even stronger as part of Menicon.

What activities are you looking forwardto in retirement?For many years, my wife and I haveowned boats that are suitable for navigat-ing the English canal system. These nar-rowboats, which were originally designedto carry cargo during the 18th, 19th and20th centuries, are only seven feet wide,allowing them to pass through the narrowlocks. My wife and I want to cruise the3,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers

in Great Britain while we are still fitenough to do so. We have alreadycruised some of the canal system, butwith only two weeks’ holiday at any onetime and a maximum speed of threemiles per hour, we have been limited inthe areas we could explore. Extendedcruising should allow us to go much far-ther afield and see the beautiful Englishcountryside by the back door.

We also want to visit the many lovely coun-tries throughout the world and have time toenjoy them without having to worry aboutgoing back to work on a Monday morning.

To stay fit, I have been jogging for morethan 20 years. I have completed twoLondon Marathons and very much enjoyrunning in the fresh air all year round. Ihope that I will have more time to keeprunning on a regular basis, and I still en-tertain the thought of training for onemore London Marathon.

Please share any parting thoughts.I want to take this opportunity to wish all ofmy colleagues and friends at DTCL and inthe Menicon group continued success forthe future. Menicon is now a truly globalcompany with a diverse range of productssupported by talented people with a widerange of experience and expertise, and I amconfident it will capitalize on these tremen-dous resources for many years to come.

Thank you for the support you have given me.

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Inside the cabin of the narrowboat Willow.

Mr. Thomas with his wife, Lesley, and their children, Daniel and Kate.

Lesley Thomas steers Willow along a canal.


Menicon Co. Ltd.’s Magic daily dis-posable contact lens, packaged in aunique flat-pack, won a Gold Awardfor best logo, package design andoverall communication plan in the Design Lotus category at the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival (ADFEST) in Pattaya, Thailand. In addition to theGold Award, Magic also won three Silver Awards, making it the mostawarded product in the Design Lotuscategory.

Taken together, the four awards recog-nized Magic’s unique design, creativityand functionality that provide newvalue, convenience and enjoyment.Also cited were Magic’s integratedmarketing approach, encompassinglogo and package design, transit ad-vertising, print advertising, productWeb page and sales tools.

“It is an honor to receive such recogni-tion of Magic’s unique design fea-tures,” said Steve Newman, ChiefTechnology Officer. “This technologyenables Menicon to produce an inno-vative package design that is about1mm thick, much less than that of tra-ditional contact lenses.”

Magic was launched at the company’sMagic Store concept shop in Tokyo onNov. 7, 2011.

Magic a Winner at Advertising FestivalWorld’s thinnest daily disposable lens takes top honors in several categories.

� Magic’s flat-pack design is unique in contact lens packaging.

co

rn

er

“It is an honor to receive such recognition of Magic’s unique design features.”

Steve Newman, Chief Technology Officer

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� The Magic Store in Tokyo has attractedmuch attention as people learn moreabout this daily disposable lens in new,convenient packaging.


PHOTO GALLERY

8

Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2012

William Thomas Retires

More than 6,000 people attended the Japanese Ophthalmological Society meeting held at the Tokyo International Forum in April. Menicon’sDr. Jacinto Santodomingo presented a paper on myopia control with orthokeratology contact lenses, and Dr. Jennifer Choo presented on orthokeratology and corneal susceptibility to microbial keratitis. Picturedfrom left to right: Dr. Santodomingo, Dr. Choo, and orthokeratology andspecialty lens specialists Prof. Masao Matsubara, Dr. Takahiro Hiraoka andDr. Tetsuhiko Kakita.

Dr. Trusit Dave (second from left), founder of Optimed Ltd., discusses theeducational value of i-Vue and CAPTIV8 at the Menicon booth at Interna-tional Vision Expo East in New York, USA.

More than 1,000 doctors from 20 countries and regions attended the 12th International Congress ofOphthalmology and Optometry in Hangzhou, China,in late March. Left to right: Jonathan Jacobson, Dr. Jiang Jun, of FocuSee, Menicon’s manufacturingjoint venture partner in China, and Jackson Leung.

© 2012 Menicon Company Ltd. • To submit an article or request product information, contact Randall Sakamoto, OD, PhD, [email protected] or Donna Vadala at [email protected].

Toshio Matsushima(right), Senior Execu-tive Officer, OverseasSales & Marketing,Menicon Co. Ltd.,congratulates WilliamThomas on his recentretirement as Manag-ing Director of DavidThomas ContactLenses Ltd.

Left to right: Marcelo Soares, president of Mediphacos, the exclusive Rose K distributor inBrazil; Juan Céspedes, responsiblefor Menicon Latin America; andCésar Lipener, president of theBrazilian Society of Contact Lenses,Cornea and Refractometry.

Jonathan Jacobson, General Manager, Over-seas Sales & Marketing, Menicon Co. Ltd. (fifthfrom left) and Dr. Paul Rose (sixth from left) withrepresentatives of HK Centro Visual, exclusiveRose K distributor in Chile.

Dr. Paul Rose (shown lecturing above) toured Brazil in late November 2011, educating contact lens practitioners in Recife, Belo Horizonte, and Sao Paulo.

Rose K Tours in Latin America

COOC 2012

International Vision Expo East 2012


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