A Complete Guide to LACREON and How It Works

LACREON is a contact lens technology - developed by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care -  that permanently embeds a pvp-based water holding ingredient creating a surface moisture composition similar to that found in natural tears. The ingredient is integrated into Johnson & Johnson Vision Care's lens material etafilcon A and is available with 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST, 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST MULTIFOCAL, 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST for ASTIGMATISM and 1-DAY ACUVUE DEFINE^®. The moisture is permanently kept in the lens, thus resulting in keeping the eyes feeling fresh and more comfortable all day long. In addition to this silky smooth cushion, the reduced surface friction allows the eyelid to glide over the lens easily. In this article, we will delve deeper into the benefits and unique features of LACREON, exploring how it retains moisture, its impact on surface friction, and the overall improvements it brings to the lens-wearing experience.

Understanding LACREON Technology

There is a lot to like about daily disposable contact lenses. No cleaning or maintenance, they are great for traveling, they are easy for lens-newbies. And, they are always fresh and comfortable since you use a new pair every day. But do they have the comfort to last as long as you do each day? Well - that's another story. ACUVUE^® contact lenses with LACREON Technology can help give that story a happy ending. They are made of an ionic hydrogel called Etafilcon. Hydrogels are gel-like plastics that hold water and use it to carry the oxygen that your eyes need to stay fresh. To keep lenses filling moisture longer, some lens makers add a wetting agent to the packing solution. But every time you blink, a bit of that wetting agent wipes away. By day's end, there may not be enough left to keep your lenses feeling as moist.

The exclusive and more than thirty years old LACREON technology from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care embeds a wetting agent into the lens material itself, creating a cushion of moisture that won't blink away. Your lenses provide moisture longer and your eyelids will glide comfortably over the lens all day - even when you are exposed to things that can annoy your eyes. If dust or pollen makes your eyes itch, 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST and all of the other ACUVUE^® lenses with LACREON technology can help.

LACREON and the Benefits of PVP

Like other wetting technologies such as Hydraclear or HydraLuxe, Lenses with LACREON Technology¹ utilize Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). PVP is a polymer material that is commonly used in contact lenses by all major brands and manufacturers such as Acuvue, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb and Coopervision. It is a water-absorbing substance that possesses a range of properties which make it suitable for contact lenses.

One of the key characteristics of PVP is its high water absorption capacity. PVP can soak up and retain a significant amount of water, which helps to keep the contact lens hydrated and moist when it is in contact with the eye. This is important for maintaining comfort during wear, as a dry lens can cause irritation and discomfort.

PVP also has excellent compatibility with the eye tissue. In other words, it is biocompatible, meaning it is generally well-tolerated by the eye without causing any adverse reactions. This makes it an excellent material for prolonged contact lens wear².

Furthermore, PVP has a high molecular weight, which contributes to the durability and mechanical strength of contact lenses. It helps the lenses maintain their shape, resist deformation, and provide good optical clarity.

The proprietary integration process of PVP (known as LACREON technology) into the contact lens base material Etafilcon A offers some additional benefits. It enhances the wettability of the lens surface, allowing tears to spread evenly across the lens and reducing the formation of dry spots. This improves the comfort of the wearer and helps to minimize the occurrence of dry eye symptoms.

LACREON, Etafilcon A and Lysozyme - A Powerful Combination

Ionic hydrogel lenses, such as Etafilcon A lenses with LACREON, are designed to maintain a low inflammatory response and reduce the risk of infection during daily wear. One reason for this is the special quality of Etafilcon A³. It has a low modulus, making it very soft and comfortable to wear. Additionally, it can absorb lysozyme, a natural protein-based enzyme found in tears. Lysozyme serves as a protective agent, defending your eyes against harmful microbes and maintaining their overall health when you wear these lenses.

ACUVUE^® Lenses with LACREON

References and Clinical Studies

¹ Chemical Characterization of 1–DAY ACUVUE® MOIST and 1–DAY ACUVUE® Contact Lenses
by: H. Sheardown, L. Liu, L. Jones
Published: iovs - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science - Vol.47, 2388

² Daily Disposable Performance of 1-DAY ACUVUE® TruEye™ and 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® With LACREON® TECHNOLOGY
by: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Published: U.S. National Library of Medicine - Clinical Trials, June 2018

³ Thirty years of ‘quiet eye’ with etafilcon A contact lenses
by: Nathan Efron, Noel A. Brennan, Robin L. Chalmers, Lyndon Jones, Charis Lau, Philip B. Morgan, Jason J. Nichols, Loretta B. Szczotka-Flynn, Mark D. Willcox
Published: Elsevier - Contact Lens & Anterior Eye: Volume 43, Issue 3, June 2020, Pages 285-297