AOA 2026: Patient-reported outcomes with a novel daily disposable toric contact lens

Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, a partner in a 3-location optometric practice in Northwest Ohio, discussed a real-world evaluation of a new daily disposable toric contact lens made from a next-generation “caliphilic on” material in the poster presentation “Patient-reported Outcomes With a Novel Daily Disposable Toric Contact Lens in Dryness Sufferers.” Rather than a traditional controlled, masked clinical trial, this was a pragmatic, multi-practice study conducted “in the wild,” involving more than 10 practices and over 200 existing contact lens wearers with astigmatism. Participants were fit with the new toric lens and completed questionnaires after a period of wear.

The questionnaires assessed vision and comfort in everyday conditions, including physical activities, digital device use, overall comfort, end-of-day eye fatigue, and willingness to continue with the lens. According to Brujic, the overall findings were consistently positive, with particularly notable benefits in patients who reported dryness symptoms. While both standard wearers and dry eye sufferers reported good comfort, the dry eye group experienced disproportionately greater improvement, suggesting that those who most “need” the advanced material may subjectively benefit the most.

Brujic underscored the clinical importance of actively probing comfort, not only in symptomatic patients but also in those who may have become “numb” to suboptimal lens performance. He described a practical approach: asking patients to rate lens comfort on a 0–10 scale shortly after insertion and again just before lens removal. A steep decline in evening comfort opens a natural conversation about upgrading to newer materials that may better sustain comfort throughout the day.

The lens material studied incorporates osmoprotectants and electrolytes, aimed at supporting the ocular environment and enhancing comfort. However, Brujic notes that the investigation focused primarily on material change, not on ocular surface health variables, which remain an important unanswered question. He emphasized that optimal contact lens success rests on two pillars: using the highest-level lens technology available and optimizing the ocular surface on which the lens rests.

In closing, Brujic suggested that even seemingly satisfied patients may have room for improvement. He encouraged practitioners to proactively trial newer technologies in appropriate candidates, highlighting a philosophy of continuous refinement in contact lens comfort and patient care.