Practitioner trial of SOLA Percepta progressive lenses

INTRODUCTION: SOLA has conducted a trial of patient acceptance of the Percepta lens with optometrists independently selected by Australia's Independent Optometrists (AIO), which helped organise the study. METHODS: Twenty-eight optometrists each recruited approximately five patients who were prescribed the lens. These patients were the next patients who would normally be prescribed a progressive lens. Ultimately, 125 patients were recruited. RESULTS: Approximately 82 per cent of the ratings of lens wear were either 'good' or 'excellent' with a further nine per cent 'adequate'. Those patients who were not satisfied with the lens showed adaptation problems or had difficulties with the width of near vision available to them. Thirty-one of these patients (25 per cent) were prior wearers of single vision lenses for distance or near (or both) and therefore it was not surprising to hear them voice concern over near vision performance. The majority of patients (45 per cent) recruited into the study were previously wearing progressive lenses and the high success rate in this study reflected a successful change into a new lens type. CONCLUSION: The Percepta lens provides a well-accepted solution to the visual needs of patients. Patients had difficulty with computer use but rated the Percepta lens highly for clarity of vision and for driving.