Lawrence & Mayo, a 28-year old optical showroom chain in the country, has organised a free month long professional service programme which began on September 5 at its showrooms in Bangalore.

The main aim of the service is to increase the number of contact lens users and retrieve customers who have stopped using contact lenses for various reasons. Bangalore has a high rate of pollution and has recently seen a decline in the number of contact lens users. For the programme, modern eye testing equipment would be deployed and free consultation would be provided.

The showroom, which has three branches in Bangalore, has been doing well although no sales figures were available. But according to Amitav Mendonca, director, Lawrence & Mayo, the contact lens market in India has been growing at around 45 percent over the last few years.

Said Mendonca, "The market has witnessed a tremendous change. Until recently the practice of wearing contact lenses was limited only to those who had better exposure to quality eye care and consequently, the market struggled. The change had been due to the availability of new contact lenses, which were simple to use, economically viable and patient friendly designs.

Several ophthalmologists in Bangalore are of the view that the decline of contact lens use in the city had been due to bad roads, which increased the pollutants. "Contact lens wearers are faced with multiple environmental problems like exhaust, smoke, dust and debris increased the deposits, especially protein, on the lenses. Besides, long hours in front of computers or television screens, rushed lifestyles, etc., further aggravated lens dryness and discomfort," said Dr. M S Suresh, ophthalmologist, a private practitioner.

But the presence of lens solutions has considerably decreased the problems for users. "Today's lens wearers feel the need for a really effective cleaning and lubricating solution to keep lenses sparkling clean, moist and comfortable against pollution and lens drying environment. The contact lens care solution with HPMC (Hydroxy-propyl Methyl Cellulose is ideal for better comfort, easy lubrication and had few cleansing procedures which are advised by doctors or opticians, informed one of the ophthalmologists on duty at the Minto Eye Hospital

With major players like Allergan India Ltd., Ciba Vision the eye care unit of Novartis AG, Bausch & Lomb, the contact lens market was flooded with lenses and lens care solutions.

Allergan's 'Complete,' superior contact lens care solution, is designed specifically for countries like India where atmospheric pollutants are in high concentration. Complete is said to be one of the world's fastest growing lens care brands and the formula contains HPMC (Hydroxy-propyl Methyl Cellulose), a widely used comfort ingredient in many ophthalmic preparations. It also contains Tyloxapol, a special lubricant, provides better comfort throughout the day. The product also helped in increased lens life as it minimised scratches and tears of lenses during cleaning.