The number of customizable gas permeable (GP) lenses is expanding, thanks to improved manufacturing technologies and expanded and innovative parameter and material options. While the existing patient base for GP lenses is small, relative to the overall contact lens industry, these new offerings afford an ability to fi t a wider array of potential candidates, correcting for more complicated clinical challenges. We invited a panel of experts to participate in the following round table discussion on the new technologies available in GP lenses.

Participants:
Moderator: Milton Hom, OD, FAAO, practices in Azusa, California. He is a Diplomate in Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies and serves on several editorial boards, including Review of Optometry, Optometric Management, Primary Care Optometry News, Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses and Optometry Times.

Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, is an ophthalmic industry consultant and a partner in an optometry group in San Diego. He is on the editorial board for Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses and has more than 60 published manuscripts including the book Spanish Terminology for the Eyecare Team.

Richard L. Silver, OD, is in private practice in Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks, Calif. His practice is recognized as the leading source of special effect contact lenses for the entertainment industry. Current projects include the films “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Twilight,” “Men in Black,” “X-Men” and “Thor.”

Donna C. Weiss, OD, serves as the Clinical Director of the Irregular Cornea and Contact Lens Department at Boxer Wachler Vision Institute. She holds dual academic positions at Western University of Health Sciences and Southern California College of Optometry and provides patient care in her private practice in West Los Angeles.