Jennifer Chinn, OD†, of Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care in San Diego, California, does not seek out the spotlight. “I don’t enjoy public speaking that much, but I wanted to challenge myself and grow as a professional and a practitioner,” she says. So when she had the opportunity to become a Professional Affairs Consultant with Johnson & Johnson Vision in 2022, she took the leap. What she found was the role not only brought her a newfound confidence, but it also opened the door to meeting colleagues and learning about Johnson & Johnson Vision products more thoroughly.
“Johnson & Johnson Vision does a fantastic job with speaker trainings and monthly calls where we share tips with each other. When it came time to appear as a speaker, I had every resource I needed to be confident and prepared,” she says.
Dr. Chinn, who joined her father in practice, says that the deep dive into learning about ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day and ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL lenses “was amazing. When we can educate patients on cutting edge technology and products, we can distinguish ourselves as leaders. When our patients come into our practice, they are expecting to hear what is different and what we have that might help them,” she says. Comfort1,2 and clear vision1,2 top the list of patient demands.
For example, her demographic of young professionals have shown particular interest in blue-violet light filtering* technology. “ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day lenses offer a great combination of TearStable and OptiBlue technologies to help set us apart,” she says. The OptiBlue Light Filter filters 60% blue-violet light*,3 while the TearStable™ Technology optimizes wetting agent distribution throughout the lens and on the surface. These technologies are great features on a contact lens that already delivers longer tear film stability and reduced evaporation3,4,5.
Because she has learned about the research and development, manufacturing, and science behind these lenses, she is ready with answers when patients want to know why these lenses are special. “I can talk to them all day–if they wanted to do that–but the biggest impact is that once they put these lenses on, they can see and feel the difference,” she says.
It is not typical that contact lenses manufacturers release a multifocal design of a lens at the same time that the spherical lens is launched. But that’s exactly what Johnson & Johnson Vision did with ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day lenses. “Having both available to us at the same time was fantastic because we were able to reach a larger patient base immediately,” she says.
When she sees patients showing early signs of presbyopia, she makes sure not to use the word “multifocal” with them, but she’ll start to lay the groundwork. “I’ll see how the patient does in the near vision part of the exam. If one needs a little bit of add power, I’ll try them in ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day Multifocal.”
If the patient doesn’t need that add power yet, Dr. Chinn will still discuss how their visual demands are impacting their eyes. “I’m trying to open their minds to realizing that the impacts from up-close computer work are not going to go away anytime soon, and dependency on digital devices will likely increase in the future. I want to set the expectations that there are solutions for that patient in the future when they start to realize the changes in their vision,” she says.
Indeed, planting that seed does matter. “Some patients I’ve said that to last year have come back this year telling me that they’re noticing more of the eye strain that we talked about.”
BUILDING ON INFLUENCE
Dr. Chinn says that she and her father have talked about how her opportunity to be a Professional Affairs Consultant now is a relatively new option for optometrists today. “Very few doctors had this kind of opportunity even just 20 years ago. My father supports how involved I am because it helps our practice and patients when I’m able to explain the advances. I’ve shared what I’ve learned with him, too, just as I do with my colleagues at Johnson & Johnson events around the country,” she says.
She notes that she’s been so pleased to be on panels that address the unique challenges of eye care professionals today, covering both clinical and nonclinical topics such as empowering women; diversity, equity and inclusion; and career development. “I love that Johnson & Johnson is fostering leadership and mentorship through other industry events like their Power of Women in Optometry or Leaders in Optometry events. These events are not centered around Johnson & Johnson products but are providing a forum and platform to share and learn with other eye care professionals,” she says.
Providing this opportunity to more ODs is “smart,” she says, as it acknowledges that models of practice and career paths are not as traditional as they were in the past. “It shows that Johnson & Johnson Vision is supporting us as individuals and professionals. Doctors and staff work together as teams, all to help improve the patient experience,” she says.
†Dr Chinn is a paid Professional Affairs Consultant for Johnson & Johnson Vision
* Filtering of HEV light by contact lenses has not been demonstrated to confer any health benefit to the user, including but not limited to retinal protection, protection from cataract progression, reduced eye strain, improved contrast, improved acuity, reduced glare, improved low light vision, or improved circadian rhythm/sleep cycle. The Eye Care Professional should be consulted for more information.
- JJV Data on File, 2022. CSM Subjective Responses ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day Contact Lenses- Retrospective Meta-analysis.
- JJV Data on File 2022. Subjective Stand-Alone Claims for ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL Contact Lenses – Exploratory Meta-analysis.
- JJV Data on File 2022. TearStable™ Technology Definition.
- JJV Data on File 2022. Effect on Tear Film and Evaluation of Visual Artifacts of ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day Family with TearStable™ Technology.
5.JJV Data on File 2022. Material Properties: 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST, 1-DAY ACUVUE® TruEye®, ACUVUE® OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology and ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day with TearStable™ Technology Brand Contact Lenses and other daily disposable contact lens brands.
Important safety information: ACUVUE® Contact Lenses are indicated for vision correction. As with any contact lens, eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop. Some wearers may experience mild irritation, itching or discomfort. Lenses should not be prescribed if patients have any eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Consult the package insert for complete information. Complete information is also available from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. by calling 1-800-843-2020, or by visiting www.jnjvisionpro.com.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2023 | PP2023AMB6672
