Walsh K, Jones L. Covid-19 and contact lenses: Keeping it simple in the ‘new normal’ Optician 2021, March: 25-30 [ Show Abstract ]

Karen Walsh and Professor Lyndon Jones examine how Covid-19 has affected routine contact lens practice and what that means for both eye care practitioners and their patients (C77595, one distance learning CET point suitable for optometrists, contact lens opticians and dispensing opticians).

In the first quarter of 2020, routine clinical eye care underwent a temporary cessation in most regions around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. Optometric practice is now predominantly back up and running, albeit with the occasional return to a higher alert level as the infection rates in countries ebb and flow over time. The demands
of working in a world with Covid-19 have necessitated changes to how routine practice is conducted. As a result, the attitudes and needs of eye care practitioners (ECPs) and patients related to eye care in general, and contact lenses (CLs) in particular, may have altered. Within this new shape of optometric practice, the question of where CL practice fits naturally arises. While aftercare for the routine assessment and resupply of existing wearers may seem acceptable, how does the profession approach the option of new fits and upgrades? Given the wider challenges faced by practitioners, is this really the time to focus on such areas? Is it even ‘safe’ to fit CL now, given the close contact required? However, looking at it from a different point of view, are there in fact opportunities arising from the changes dictated by Covid-19 that could be beneficial for CL practice? This article reviews the recommendations
for safe CL practice, looks at their relevance for both practitioners and patients, and addresses how CL can be accommodated into the daily clinic routine as easily as possible.

Walsh K, Jones L. Ein Jahr Covid-19 und die Auswirkungen auf die Kontaktlinsenpraxis (German translation of "COVID-19: A Year in Review and the Impact on Contact Lens Practice", as published in CL Spectrum in Feb 2021); Deutsche Optikerzeitung 2021, 06: 96-103 [ Show Abstract ]

Das Jahr 2020, in dem die Corona-Pandemie begann, hat die gesamte Weltgemeinschaft und damit das Leben jedes einzelnen Menschen verändert. Folglich sind die Auswirkungen der Pandemie auch in der augenoptischen Branche zu spüren. Die Autoren Karen Walsh, MCOptom und PGDip, und Lyndon Jones, DSc und FCOptom, ziehen Bilanz.

Walsh K, Jones L. COVID-19: A year in review and the impact on CL practice Contact Lens Spectrum 2021;36, February: E1-E6 [ Show Abstract ]

For everyone involved in eye care, 2020 was going to be a special year. The numerous “20/20” puns and articles circulating in January were full of hope and future-gazing. No one could have predicted the direction that the year would take and its resulting impact on the world at large and, for this audience specifically, on the delivery of routine contact lens care. As the end of this unprecedented year has finally come to pass, it feels right to pause and reflect on the last 12 months, to examine the journey that the profession has taken, and to summarize the situation. This article reviews what the profession has learned and asks whether enough is known to successfully navigate the months and years ahead. With no small amount of irony and a large nod to those aforementioned puns, does being approximately one year into the pandemic result in having a useful amount of “20/20 hindsight”?

Walsh K, Jones L, Woods J, Moody K. Evidence-based contact lens recommendation Contact Lens Spectrum 2019, Nov: 21-26

Walsh K, Lenz Y, Behrens R. Get the support you need: Freely available information can complement basic contact lens practice Contact Lens Spectrum 2019;34, 9: 32-37

Walsh K, Srinivasan S, Jones L. Lid margin health: the forgotten part of contact lens discomfort? Optician 2018, 7 September: 28-32

Walsh K, Sulley A. Soft toric lens fitting practices not meeting patient needs Optometry Times Journal 2021;13, 2: 34-37 [ Show Abstract ]

The inclusion of astigmatic correction in spectacles is common practice. Outside of the need to reduce a high or previously uncorrected astigmatism to ease adaption, eyecare professionals (ECPs) routinely prescribe the full toric correction in spectacles. Historically, the lack of availability of consistently performing, comfortable soft toric contact lens designs resulted in different prescribing practices for astigmats compared to those wearing spectacles, with spherical lenses often recommended over toric lenses for low to moderate levels of astigmatism.

Modern soft toric designs are significantly different from early non-planned replacement versions of 20 or more years ago. Their overall performance—which includes ease of fitting, comfort, rotational stability, vision performance, and consistent manufacturing in a range of designs and materials—enables them to be fit successfully to a wide range of astigmatic patients.

This review provides an overview of current soft toric prescribing, comparing and contrasting different fitting practices around the globe, and explores patient expectations and the opportunities that exist to meet their needs.

Walsh K., Jones L. Aligning clinical practice with professional beliefs Optometry Today 2019, Dec: 71-75

Williams-Lyn D, MacNeill K, Fonn D. The effect of rigid lens back optic zone radius and diameter changes on comfort Int Contact Lens Clin 1993;20, 11/12: 223-229

Wolffsohn J, Craig J, Jones L. An Action Plan for Managing Dry Eye Review of Optometry 2024, May 15: 50-55

Wong S. A review of contact angle techniques ContactLensUpdate.com 2017

Wong S. CLEAR report summary: Evidence-Based Contact Lens Practice https://contactlensupdate.com/2021/06/15/evidence-based-contact-lens-practice/ 2021;60

Wong S. Fast Forward to the Future: Shades Ahead Contact Lens Spectrum 2024;39, October: 17

Wong S, Meyler J,. Truth or myth: Monovision is best for presbyopic CL correction? Optician; https://www.opticianonline.net/content/features/truth-or-myth-monovision-is-best-for-presbyopic-cl-correction 2023, August 1:

Wong S, Ruston D. Truth or myth: Spectacle lenses provide better visual acuity than soft toric contact lenses Optician: https://www.opticianonline.net/content/features/truth-or-myth-spectacle-lenses-provide-better-visual-acuity-than-soft-toric-contact-lenses/ 2024, January 5:

Woods C. Presbyopia: a pause in focus ContactLensUpdate.com 2012

Woods CA. Multipurpose solutions: safe, efficacious and simple Contact Lens Spectrum ;2315

Woods CA. 2005: the year in contact lenses Contact Lens Spectrum 2006;21, 2: 28-38

Woods CA, Morgan PB, Sivak A. Market utilisation of dilicone hydrogel lenses Silicone Hydrogels Website 2009, June:

Woods CA, Phillips G. Contact lens prescribing in Australia and New Zealand 2004 Australian Optometry 2005;26, 5: 10-11

Woods J. Conjunctival Responses to Contact Lens Wear Contact Lens Spectrum 2015;30, August: 34-36, 38

Woods J. Myth 2: Fitting soft multifocal lenses is complex, takes up a lot of chair time and never meets patient needs ContactLensUpdate.com 2018

Woods J. Article Review: Multifocal contact lens success predictability https://contactlensupdate.com/2024/10/03/article-review-multifocal-contact-lens-success-predictability/ 2024, 80:

Woods J, Jones L. Lens care compliance Contact Lens Spectrum 2019;34, 4: 36-40

Woods J, Jones L. Patients should comply with the proper use of hydrogen peroxide and multipurpose solution care regimens Contact Lens Spectrum 2019;34, April: 38-42