What is the difference between Boston Lens (PROSE) and Jupiter lens?

[lzer]

I had never heard of Jupiter lenses, but did a quick search and they sound very similar to PROSE. Someone commented they are significantly cheaper than PROSE. I have PROSE and fortunately my insurance pays, but who knows if that will continue in the future. Any info would be appreciated. thanks.

[ScottishDave]

Along a similar vein, I too would like to know what the differences are between the PROSE lenses and the ones you get from Ken Pullum in the UK? Is it only the extra attention to fitting them that differs?

Thanks

[Rebecca Petris]

The materials and shape are different. But probably the most significant difference is that PROSE is basically infinitely customizable.

There is obviously a huge cost difference. (Which is why few people get PROSE without insurance.) PROSE cost reflects - in addition to the technology - a sort of whole package continuous onsite treatment and training from a facility and staff dedicated to this purpose, while Jupiter lenses are dispensed more like 'normal' gas permeable lenses, i.e. an optometrist measures you, orders the lenses, you try them, etc.

Both Jupiter and PROSE lenses have traditionally been targeted at keratoconus, but in recent years PROSE has increasingly been used in ocular surface disease include multiple transplant patients and extreme dry eye or severe pain cases. I think that to a lesser extent that may be true of Jupiter lenses too, though I hear from Jupiter lens wearers so rarely (or from doctors fitting them for other indications than keratoconus) that I don't really know. Bottom line though is that dry eye is an emerging target for sclerals and it's rarely a slam dunk to treat it with sclerals.

[Connected Visions]

It sounds like you are trying to determine the best treatment option for yourself - PROSE treatment or scleral lenses fit by other providers. Ultimately, we cannot speak to the affordability or effectiveness of scleral lenses fitted by other providers for a variety of conditions with various treatment goals, but we can say that almost 80% of the patients treated at BFS in 2010 were covered in part or in full for PROSE treatment through their insurance providers and/or financial assistance. BFS staff work closely with each patient and his/her insurance provider to obtain insurance reimbursement whenever possible and to provide additional lodging, meals and transportation support to make the treatment process as affordable and convenient as possible.

We also know that the ability to successfully replace or support impaired ocular surface system functions, reduce symptoms and improve vision is determined by three interdependent factors:
• The individual patient's needs, functional goals and capabilities
• The specific underlying condition(s) being treated and desired treatment outcomes
• The success of the fit- which is determined by the expertise and skill of the treatment team interfaced with the effectiveness/flexibility of the technology/tools/materials required to design and manufacture the devices or lenses

Therefore an assessment or comparison of effectiveness in reaching treatment goals can only be determined once a successful fit has been achieved.

PROSE treatment for complex corneal disease is provided by a highly trained medical team which includes a cornea specialist ophthalmologist, an optometrist who has completed an intensive nine-week PROSE Clinical Fellowship at BFS, medical assistants, trainers, and prosthetic device manufacturing engineers and technicians. This team treatment approach allows PROSE providers to custom design, fabricate and fit FDA-approved prosthetic devices unique to each patient that replace and/or support damaged ocular surface system functions in the context of treating underlying complex corneal disease.

PROSE treatment teams will work with each patient, his/her primary eye care provider, and support system to identify treatment goals and determine together whether PROSE treatment is the best choice for them. Boston Foundation for Sight has over 20 years of experience in treating a wide range of rare corneal diseases and injuries; the benefits of PROSE treatment have been reported in dozens of peer-reviewed medical journal publications dating back to 1990. For a full list of our publications please go to www.bostonsight.org/research.

Hope that helps,

Janice M. Epstein
BFS Online Community Advocate
connectedvisions@bostonsight.org
www.bostonsight.org/blog