SynergEyes, the leading U.S. manufacturer of hybrid contact lenses, has received FDA approval of its new silicone hydrogel hybrid contact lens technology, according to the Carlsbad, California-based company.

The company’s latest generation hybrid contacts made with this new technology will feature SynergEyes’ MaxVu rigid gas permeable material in the central optic zone, surrounded by its new Flex2O silicone hydrogel material, which transmits significantly more oxygen to the front of the eye than conventional soft lens materials.

SynergEyes plans to market the new hybrid contact lenses under its new Duette brand, and will soon be releasing two lenses: the Duette hybrid contact lens for astigmatism (currently available in limited release) and the Duette multifocal lens for presbyopia.

Both lenses are approved for daily wear to correct up to 20 diopters (D) of nearsightedness or farsightedness and up to 6.0 diopters of astigmatism, according to the company.

“Duette hybrid contact lenses represent a significant advancement in the contact lens industry and give eye care professionals an innovative product that delivers an unprecedented combination of visual acuity and comfort to a broad range of patients,” said Jim Ham, CEO of SynergEyes, in a press release issued by the company.

The company is planning a nationwide launch of the Duette hybrid lens for astigmatism and a limited release of the Duette multifocal hybrid lens for presbyopia in early 2011.

For more information about hybrid contact lenses, contact your eye care professional or visit the SynergEyes website.

Ciba Vision recently announced that the company has discontinued manufacturing its SoftPerm brand of hybrid contact lenses. The hybrid contacts were designed for daily wear and yearly replacement.

Hybrid contact lenses have a central optic zone made of rigid gas permeable contact lens material, surrounded by an outer fitting zone made of soft contact lens material. The lenses are designed to offer contact lens wearers the best of both worlds: the crisp, aberration-correcting optics of gas permeable contact lenses, combined with wearing comfort comparable to that of soft contact lenses.

The company has advised eye doctors who have fitted patients with SoftPerm lenses to refit these patients with hybrid lenses offered by SynergEyes, a specialty contact lens manufacturer based in Carlsbad, California. SynergEyes offers a variety of hybrid contact lenses, including multifocal contacts and contacts for individuals with keratoconus.

SynergEyes has launched a new website (www.SynergEyesTransition.com) for eye care practitioners seeking information on refitting SoftPerm patients into SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses.

Consumers can learn more about SynergEyes hybrid contacts at www.synergeyes.com.

SynergEyes, Inc. (Carlsbad, Calif.) recently received a CONNECT Most Innovative New Product (MIP) Award for 2009 for its patent-pending ClearKone hybrid contact lenses designed for people with keratoconus.

CONNECT is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life sciences businesses in the San Diego area.

The MIP Award finalists were selected from approximately 100 entries representing a broad range of companies within eight categories. The SynergEyes ClearKone hybrid contacts won the MIP Award in the Life Science - Medical Products category.

ClearKone hybrid contact lenses are designed specifically for people with moderate to advanced keratoconus who characteristically have poor vision with eyeglasses. The patent-pending hybrid lens design is optimized to vault the irregularities of the keratoconic cornea, thereby restoring visual acuity to a vast majority of patients without compromising comfort or eye health, according to the company.

“It is a great honor to receive an award recognizing SynergEyes as a technology leader among the medical device companies in San Diego,” said Kellie Kaseburg, Vice President of Global Marketing, in a press release issued by SynergEyes, Inc.

Since the market release of ClearKone hybrid contact lenses in May 2009, approximately 2,500 keratoconus patients have been prescribed the lenses, the company says.

To learn more about SynergEyes hybrid contacts and to find an eye doctor that prescribes ClearKone lenses for keratoconus, visit www.SharingOneVision.com.