Saturn II Hybrid Contact Lens in Vial

Historical Significance: The Saturn II lens was the first truly hybrid contact lens. Patented by two scientists (Charles A. Erikson and Amar N. Neogi), it was acquired by Precision Cosmet Co., Inc. in 1977. It gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1984.It was not simply a GP lens 'attached' or glued to a soft lens skirt, but a molecular interweaving of the two different materials. Due to the low-Dk material and limited parameter options, the original lens often resulted in complications from tight fit and poor oxygen permeability.Sola Barnes Hind purchased the technology and developed the next-generation SoftPerm hybrid contact lens. It was more customisable and, therefore, more comfortable; however, issues of low Dk, lens tightness, adherence, and flexure persisted. Quarter Lambda Technologies Inc. (the predecessor to SynergEyes, Inc.) began to develop the next hybrid lens, which received FDA approval in 2005. The company's SynergEyes lens had many significantly improved properties. This has been further developed and the Duette line has addressed the low-Dk skirt concern in previous hybrid lenses. The lenses have a silicone hydrogel skirt with a Dk of 84 and a central GP lens Dk of 130. This lens is a possible choice for patients who have regular astigmatism and may require better stability, acuity, or more custom parameters than can be achieved in soft toric designs, or for those who may be unable to tolerate corneal GP lenses.From: Potter R OD FAAO Contact Lens Spectrum Vol 30 November 2015 pp 30, 32-35