Air Optix Aqua Patient Instructions

Material and packaging

Air Optix Aqua soft contact lenses contain 67% lotrafilcon B and 33% water and are stored in phosphate buffered saline. The Air Optix Aqua saline contains 1% Copolymer 845. Air Optix Aqua lenses are tinted light blue to assist handling; the tint contains Cu-phthalocyanine. The lenses are steam sterilized. Air Optix Aqua are packaged in strips of individual blisters. Use only if printed foil packs are intact.

Intended use

Air Optix Aqua are intended for the optical correction of vision in persons with non-diseased eyes with minimal astigmatism that does not interfere with vision. Air Optix Aqua may be worn for daily or flexible/extended wear (up to 6 nights including while sleeping), as determined by your eye care professional.

Recommended wear and replacement schedule

In the interest of maintaining the health and safety of your eyes, the wearing schedule should be determined by your eye care professional. Air Optix Aqua have been developed to be worn on an extended wear basis for up to 6 nights (including while sleeping). Unless your eye care professional has prescribed an extended wear schedule, do not wear Air Optix Aqua while sleeping. After one night without lens wear, start the next wearing period. Since individual responses to contact lenses vary, your eye care professional may recommend that you wear your lenses for shorter continuous wear periods. Not everyone can reach the maximum wear time of 6 continuous nights. The lenses must be discarded and replaced with a new pair each month.

Handling your Air Optix Aqua lenses

Your eye care professional should provide you with detailed contact lens insertion and removal instructions.

Always wash and dry your hands before handling lenses. Gently shake the blister pack before opening. Peel back the foil lid. Pour the Air Optix Aqua lens into the palm of your hand or if necessary, gently slide the lens out of the container using your forefinger. Ensure the lens is not inside out and that you have the appropriate lens for that eye. Inspect your lenses prior to insertion, do not insert if damaged.

When removing your lens make sure that your hands are completely dry. Blink fully several times, then while looking up, slide the lens down onto the white part of the eye. Remove the lens by gently pinching it between the thumb and forefinger. If the lens is difficult to remove, do not pinch the eye tissue. Apply a lubricating and rewetting drop and try again after several minutes.

Never use tweezers, suction cups, sharp objects or your finger nails to remove your lenses from the lens container or your eyes.

Taking care of your Air Optix Aqua lenses

• CORRECT CARE OF YOUR LENSES IS ESSENTIAL.

• DISINFECT your lenses each time they are removed to destroy harmful germs and to ensure safe and comfortable contact lens wear.

• Your eye care professional should choose the lens care system most suitable for you.

• Ask your eye care professional before using any alternative lens care products.

• Do not alternate or mix lens care products from different systems.

• Use only soft contact lens care products following the manufacturer’s instructions.

• DO NOT USE HEAT NOR ANY PRODUCT DESIGNED FOR HARD OR RIGID GAS PERMEABLE LENSES.

Always remember the following:

• Always wash, rinse and dry your hands before handling your Air Optix Aqua contact lenses.

• Never store lenses overnight in saline only. Saline will NOT protect your lenses from germs and your eyes from possible infection.

• Never re-use the solution in your lens case.

• Never use solutions that are past their expiry date.

• Rinse your lens case every time you remove your lenses from it. Use sterile saline or fresh lens care solution and, if appropriate, allow to air dry. This helps avoid contamination and serious eye injury.

• Replace your lens case regularly.

IF YOU HAVE NOT WORN YOUR Air Optix Aqua LENSES FOR A FEW DAYS, follow the instructions given for your contact lens care regimen and, if applicable, clean and disinfect your lenses prior to insertion.

When not to wear Air Optix Aqua lenses

Contact lenses should not be worn in conjunction with certain health or environmental conditions. Conditions that may prevent or interfere with safe contact lens wear include:

• Allergy, inflammation, infection or irritation in or around the eye or eyelids.

• Periods of poor health, such as severe colds or influenza.

• The use of some medications, including eye medication.

• Inadequate tear film (dry eyes).

• Excessively dry or dusty environments that make contact lens wear uncomfortable.

• Water sports without the use of goggles.

Consult your eye care professional specifically regarding these or other conditions.

Possible problems

Although Air Optix Aqua contact lenses provide many benefits to the wearer, it is possible that problems might occur and may be first noticed as one or more of the following signs:

• Feeling of something in the eye

• Uncomfortable lens

• Eye redness

• Sensitivity to light

• Burning, stinging, itching or watering eyes

• Reduced sharpness of vision

• Rainbows or halos around lights

• Increased eye secretions

• Discomfort/pain

• Severe or persistent dry eyes

These symptoms, if ignored, may lead to more serious complications.

What to do if a problem occurs

If any of the above symptoms occur:

• IMMEDIATELY REMOVE THE LENS(ES).

• If the discomfort or problem stops, then look closely at the lens(es).

• If the lens(es) is (are) in any way damaged, DO NOT put the lens(es) back on the eye(s): replace with a new lens(es) or consult your eye care professional.

• If the lens(es) has (have) dirt, an eyelash, or foreign body on it (them), or the problem stops and the lens(es) appear(s) undamaged, thoroughly clean, rinse and disinfect/neutralise the lens(es), before reinsertion.

• If the above symptoms continue after removal or upon reinsertion of the lens(es) remove the lens(es) IMMEDIATELY, then promptly contact your eye care professional. A serious condition such as infection, corneal ulcer (ulcerative keratitis) or iritis may be present. These conditions could progress rapidly and may lead to permanent loss of vision. Less serious reactions such as abrasions, epithelial staining and bacterial conjunctivitis must be managed and treated properly to avoid complications.

• Occasional dryness may be relieved by the use of lubricating and wetting drops. If dryness persists consult your eye care professional.

• If an Air Optix Aqua lens sticks (stops moving), apply several drops of a lubricating solution and wait until the lens begins to move freely on the eye before attempting to remove it. If the lens continues to stick, IMMEDIATELY consult your eye care professional.

Additional information

The risk of ulcerative keratitis has been shown to be greater among users of extended wear lenses than among users of daily wear lenses. Contact lens wear increases the risk of eye infections. Smoking further increases the risk of ulcerative keratitis for contact lens users.

Important things to remember

• Do not share your Air Optix Aqua lenses with anyone as this may spread micro-organisms which could result in serious eye health problems.

• Check your eyes daily to ensure they look well, feel comfortable and your vision is clear.

• It is recommended that contact lens wearers visit their eye care professional regularly as directed.

• Do not use Air Optix Aqua or other lens care products after the expiry date.

• In conditions of low light, wearers of tinted lenses may experience reduced vision of low contrast objects. Wearers of multifocal lenses may experience reduced vision in any light condition.

• Keep a note of the correct lens power for each eye.

• Before lens insertion, check that the lens power on each foil pack is correct for that eye.

• Always carry spare lenses with you.

• Be careful while using soaps, lotions, creams, cosmetics or deodorants as they can cause irritation if they come into contact with your lenses.

• Insert your Air Optix Aqua lenses before applying make-up and remove them before taking your make-up off.

• Avoid spraying aerosols such as hair spray near your eyes while wearing your lenses as this may cause irritation.

• Consult your eye care professional about wearing lenses during sporting activities including swimming.

• Remove your lenses when exposed to noxious or irritating vapors.

• Never allow contact lenses to come into contact with non-sterile liquids (including tap water and saliva) as microbial contamination can occur, which may lead to permanent eye damage.

• Inform your employer that you wear contact lenses, especially if your job involves using eye protection equipment.

AIR OPTIX AQUA CONTACT LENSES SHOULD ALWAYS BE FITTED BY AN EYE CARE PROFESSIONAL. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU FOLLOW YOUR EYE CARE PROFESSIONAL’S DIRECTIONS AND ALL LABELING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE OF YOUR CONTACT LENSES AND LENS CARE PRODUCTS.