European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient daily disposable contact lens

Background: Delefilcon A daily disposable water gradient contact lenses (CLs; DAILIES TOTAL1 ® ) have radically different properties at the lens surface when compared with the core, resulting in high oxygen transmissibility with a lubricious surface. Purpose: To assess the real-world success of delefilcon A daily disposable CLs using a European survey, and to determine whether a successful experience changes eye care professionals' (ECPs) CL preference or anticipated recommendation patterns. Methods: Current soft CL wearers, aged ≥18 years, were eligible for participation. Baseline demographics and 2-week data were obtained by ECPs after fitting ≥5 to ≤10 participants with delefilcon A CLs. Results: Twenty-four ECPs from 16 European countries assessed the use of delefilcon A CLs in 280 participants. Nearly two-thirds (62.9%; number [n]=176) of the participants reported dryness and/or discomfort with their habitual CLs. There was a 78.9% reduction in the proportion of participants with end-of-day dryness after 2 weeks of using delefilcon A CLs ( P <0.0001). More participants agreed that they could wear their CLs comfortably all day long with delefilcon A CLs (93.2%; n=261) versus habitual CLs (58.2%; n=163; P <0.0001). There was a strong preference for delefilcon A CLs when compared with habitual lenses worn, with 81.8% of participants agreeing with the statement "I prefer these lenses to my previous contact lenses." Delefilcon A CLs were also highly rated by ECPs following their experience with fitting the lens. All (100%) ECPs agreed or strongly agreed that the perceived comfort with delefilcon A CLs is better than that with other daily disposable lenses and that they would recommend these lenses to colleagues. Conclusion: The results indicate that delefilcon A daily disposable water gradient CLs may offer wearers greater comfort than their habitual CLs. Keywords: water gradient contact lens, delefilcon A, comfort, silicone hydrogel, daily disposable