subject: Material Used In Manufacturing Acuvue Lenses [print this page] Overview: Overview:
1970s: A new material called etafilcon A was used by Frontier in manufacturing soft lenses.
1980s: Frontier was sold to Johnson and Johnson. Renamed Vistakon, the company invested in a new production process as well. By introducing stabilized soft molding technology, Vistakon was able to introduce Acuvue to the market by 1986. Originally intended for a week"s use, these lenses were converted to daily wear lenses. All of the manufacturing facilities are in the US "" exception and one plant in Limerick, Ireland.
Range of Acuvue Lenses:
Daily Disposable Lenses:
Acuvue "" 1 day "" hydrogel (can be used for astigmatism)
Acuvue Moist "" 1 day "" hydrogel (available for astigmatism as well)
Acuvue TrueEye "" 1 day "" very first silicone hydrogel disposable lenses "" introduced in 2010 to US markets and now available worldwide.
Acuvue Define "" hydrogel (UK only "" available exclusively in D&A Opticians and Boots as of 2010)
Acuvue Advance "" silicone hydrogel (available for use in astigmatism)
Acuvue Oasys "" silicone hydrogel (prescribed in the UK for presbyopia and astigmatism in other markets around the world)
Surevue is another brand of lenses produced by Vistakon "" these lenses are a cheaper alternative to the Acuvue brand.
How Innovation took place:
In the mid 1980s, J&J bought rights to Danlens technology which was originally invented by Michael Bay. This process allowed the manufacturer to mould soft state lenses "" this was a very precise method and eliminated distortions which were a part of hard lenses. High quality lenses that were a result of this process offered great vision with convenience and comfort.
How Disposable lenses came about:
1987 saw the introduction of ACUVUE disposable lenses "" the lenses were so well received around the world that it revolutionised markets in UK and Europe. With the introduction of SUREVUE "" lenses that need replacing every month "" even more options were available to professionals in the eye care industry as well as end users. By the mid 1990s, both these brands accounted for more than 2/3rds of all new contact lens users in the UK
How daily disposable lenses changed the market:
ACUVUE 1 day wear lenses changed the contact lenses market forever. It offered benefits like superb comfort, clear vision, convenience and savings by eliminating the need for cleaning products. J&J launched a well planned marketing campaign in 1994 for their brand of ACUVUE and captured not only the public imagination but a big share of the market as well.
What to Expect:
J&J is committed to bringing cutting edge products using available technology to help people see better while being comfortable. Their ACUVUE line of silicone hydrogel disposable lenses is considered to be the best innovation ever, in the last decade.
