The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has launched a short-form video series designed to help the eye care community communicate and reinforce healthy contact lens wear-and-care guidance with existing and new wearers. Each “Make It EASY” episode features a 2022 CLI Visionary, sharing examples of exam room conversations to promote important health and safety habits—in about a minute. The first installments are now available on the CLI YouTube channel and at EASYWayProgram.org.
“Eye care professionals are regularly pressed for time during patient interactions, and many are interested in finding ways to fit in a contact lens wear-and-care conversation,” said Contact Lens Institute Board Chairperson Bill Reindel, OD, MS. “Our new ‘Make It EASY’ videos illustrate several simple, efficient ways to building wear-and-care tips into practice—examples that can be adopted and adapted to fit the needs of each office and wearer.”
Participating 2022 CLI Visionaries include Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD, Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, Tampa, Fla.; Melanie Denton, OD, Salisbury Eyecare and Eyewear, Salisbury, NC; Klaus Ito, OD, University of Virginia Department of Ophthalmology, Charlottesville, Va.; Essence Johnson, OD, Parkland Hospital, Dallas; Elise Kramer, OD, Miami Contact Lens Institute, Miami; Jennifer Lyerly, OD, TrueVision Eye Care, Raleigh, NC; Caitlin Morrison, OD, In Focus: Specialty Contact Lens & Vision Solutions, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Mark Schaeffer, OD, MyEyeDr, Birmingham, Ala.
The “Make It EASY” video series will be promoted across CLI’s social media channels, CLI Visionaries’ own digital channels, and through CLI member companies Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
This latest effort is part of CLI’s The EASY Way (Eyes, Awareness, Safety and You) program, which helps the eye care community promote healthy contact lens wear and care habits among patients in an informative, memorable, and straightforward way. It includes a set of simplified tips, attention-grabbing infographics, and companion digital resources for use in practices, all available at EASYWayProgram.org.
At the center of the program are three easy steps:
- Think Clean. Wash and dry your hands every time before touching your lenses or eyes. If you wear reusable lenses, always clean and disinfect them with each removal, and clean your case as directed. Keep your lenses and case away from any type of water, which can contain harmful microorganisms.
- Remember Fresher is Better. Wear your contacts for as long as your eye care professional says, replacing them with fresh lenses on schedule. Only wear daily disposable lenses once, and always rely on new solution for reusable lens disinfection and storage. Replace your case at least every three months.
- Trust Your Eye Doctor. Listen to your eye care professional, who has specialized training. If you have any questions, contact their office—they care about your health and great vision.
“While the CDC paused formal promotion of the CLI-sponsored Contact Lens Health Week a couple years ago to concentrate on the pandemic, we’re encouraged that many eye care practices still use the third full week in August to educate their communities about healthy contact lens wear. We encourage everyone to incorporate The EASY Way into patient outreach during special periods like this, as well as every day,” said Dr. Reindel.
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