Assessment of patient and practitioner satisfaction with Biotrue™ multi-purpose solution for contact lenses.

PURPOSE

Consumer product companies often use in-home studies to gain consumer insights on product performance. Satisfaction surveys completed in the office have been shown to overestimate satisfaction ratings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consumer acceptance of a novel multi-purpose solution (Bausch & Lomb Biotrue multi-purpose solution) through the use of a unique Internet survey and a measurement of practitioner satisfaction through in-office evaluations.

METHODS

Contact lens users were converted to an unbranded, investigational-labeled Biotrue multi-purpose solution. Independent practitioners from 15 investigational sites enrolled patients. Following 7 days of use, subjects completed an Internet survey to capture their perspectives regarding the product. After 2 weeks of use, the investigators exited the subjects.

RESULTS

Of the 300 subjects enrolled, 291 (97%) completed the Internet survey. Ninety percent rated Biotrue multi-purpose solution "excellent," "very good," or "good" for overall opinion. Significantly more subjects rated Biotrue multi-purpose solution better than their habitual product. Use of Biotrue multi-purpose solution did not affect the fitting characteristics (centration/movement) or surface wetting of the lens. Throughout the evaluation, there were no adverse events reported. Slit lamp examinations revealed that 99.2% of eyes had minimal findings (no findings or trace or mild findings). With 600 eyes enrolled in the study, practitioners agreed that 95.2% of the eyes appeared healthy throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of Internet surveys can be an effective method to gain patient perspectives regarding new products dispensed by eye care practitioners. There was a high level of satisfaction with Biotrue multi-purpose solution.