AOCLE Guides
The AOCLE Pocket Guide
The AOCLE Pocket guide was launched in 2006 as a clinical reference tool for students and residents. The guide is distributed to all 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students, residents, and CL faculty at all of the 24 North American Optometry schools. The 5th edition of the guide is downloadable online, but is no longer being updated.
Updated PDFs File Library
Healthy Soft CL Habits
A “Healthy Soft CL habits” guide was launched in 2010 in which basic hygiene and lens care issues are illustrated with easy to follow instructions based on the latest literature. The guide offers an overview of hand washing, an overview of the care of soft CL (use of tap water, rub and rinse), cleaning and replacement of lens cases, no topping off of solutions and more. The guide is completely generic and is available in English, French and Spanish. The healthy habits can be reviewed with novice users or as a review of non-compliant patients
Healthy GP CL Habits
The Gas Permeable (GP) Healthy Habits have finally arrived! After much success of the SOFT Healthy Habits created in 2010, we needed to provide the same useful tool for our GP CL wearers ! These simple instructions are available in three languages, English, French and Spanish to offer patients a handy visual tool to maintain compliant and comfortable lens wear ! This guide, created over the summer of 2012, can be a useful tool to go over healthy habits with new wearers as well as those that need a reminder. Enjoy!
Healthy Scleral Lens Habits
The AOCLE wanted to establish a standardized set of basic instructions for patients to follow. Over the past few years, the AOCLE has created Healthy Habit guides for soft and rigid lenses and now, another first, with the ‘Healthy Scleral Lens Habits’ with basic hygiene and lens care issues illustrated with easy to follow instructions based on the latest literature. The guide offers an overview of hand washing, an overview of the care specific to scleral CL, cleaning and replacement of lens cases, no topping off of solutions and more. The guide is completely generic and is available in English, French and Spanish. The healthy habits can be reviewed with novice users or as a review of non-compliant patients.
Healthy Corneal Reshaping Lens Habits
Over the past few years, the AOCLE has created Healthy Habit guides for soft, rigid and scleral lenses. Now, another first, with the ‘Healthy Corneal Reshaping Lens Habits’ with basic hygiene and lens care issues illustrated with easy to follow instructions based on the latest literature. The guide offers an overview of hand washing, an overview of the care specific to corneal reshaping CL, cleaning and replacement of lens cases, no topping off of solutions and more. The guide is completely generic and is available in English, French and Spanish. The healthy habits can be reviewed with novice users or as a review of non-compliant patients.
Solution Sampling Guidelines
Contact Lens Solutions
Sample one (1) starter kit per new contact lens fit/refit/change of solutions and consider a written recommendation of the product to promote compliance- Document the recommended product in the medical record
- Do not offer the patient multiple starter kits
- Do not offer the patient different starter kits, as this will contribute to poor compliance
- Educate the pateint on the importance of contact lens case hygiene, which is why a new cases is included in each starter kit. Recommend replacing the case every 1 to 3 months.
- Do not break-up starter kits to provide patients with individual components
- Using the latest scientific data, consider any potentioal CL/Solution incmpatibilities to guide your choice of solution
- Explain to the patient how long the sample is likely to last and what to do thereafter (fill an Rx, return for a follow-up visit, etc.)
Rewetting Drops
- Sample one (1) bottle of rewetting drops during the eye examination and consider providing a written recommendation to promote compliance
- Document the recommended product in the medical record
- Do not offer the patient multiple sample bottles
- Explain to the patient how long the sample is likely to last and what to do thereafter (fill an Rx, return for a follow-up visit, etc.)
General Considerations
- Use your discretion in sampling when it may be difficult for a patient to get to a pharmacy (weekends, evenings, holidays)
- To promote compliance, explain to the patient why you have chosen that product, since not all products are the same
- Educate the patient that generic products are usually not the same as the latest brand name products and may change in formulations from year to year
- Instruct the patient to check the expiration dates on all medications, including contact lens solutions
- Promote an annueal supply of contact lenses once the fit is complete to promote compliance
- Review manufacturer’s recommendations with respect to the given product
Have questions, need additional information, or want to connect with AOCLE?
