Kristen Brotherson, general manager, U.S. Vision Care, Alcon, addresses attendees at Thursday’s Alcon media briefing at SECO 2024.

  
ATLANTA—Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), a global leader in eyecare, is showcasing a new Marlo App at the SECO International meeting that includes additional, new features for patients. Meeting attendees will gain an exclusive look at how the Marlo App connects eyecare professionals and patients throughout their eyecare journey. It is available for download in the Apple App Store. Alcon executives addressed the new Marlo app release at an Alcon media event at SECO on Thursday, in addition to providing updates on their contact lens business and introducing members of their Vision Care leadership team.

Launched in 2020, Marlo was developed as an online platform to help patients stay connected to their ECPs by ensuring a trusted and personalized contact lens ordering experience available 24/7 with the click of a button, as well as the convenience of exam reminders, helpful contact lens tips, reorder notifications and more.

“We are proud to debut our new Marlo App at SECO this year,” said Kristen Brotherson, recently appointed general manager, U.S. Vision Care, Alcon. “Today, 95 percent of patients access health care on their smartphones, and in a recent survey, nearly 44 percent of patients indicated that they go online to purchase contact lenses. Now, ECPs can bring the future of eyecare to the palm of their patients’ hands with the Marlo App’s seamless reordering, communications, and education offerings.”

 
 
Research shows that mobile apps boost patient retention, increase the number of new users, and help practices gain a better understanding of consumer interests. With the introduction of the Marlo App, Alcon is making it easier for patients and their ECPs to stay connected between visits.

“Our goal is to help ECPs stay connected to the patient,” Brianne Laughlin, director of marketing for Marlo, told the gathering at the media briefing. “Marlo is streamlining the patient experience and allows for an even more seamless experience.”

Key features of the Marlo App include:

  • A vision screener that records patients’ responses and provides a general vision range for patients. Patients are also able to share their vision screener results with their ECPs before their next visit.

  • Communications on the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams.

  • Ability to order contact lenses using native Apple iOS features and to save Marlo contact lens prescriptions to Apple Health.

  • Ability for patients to keep track of their next appointment.

  • Educational resources where patients can learn about eye diseases, such as dry eye, and how to find symptom relief.

  • Marlo doctor locator that lists all the nearby practices that use Marlo.
“As a longtime Marlo user, I am thrilled with how the Marlo App now enhances my patient relationships,” said Dr. Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO. “Being able to communicate with my patients between exams is an integral part of delivering great, personalized care. My patients will love the Marlo App’s new features and how easy it is to reorder, get exam reminders and access to a vision screener.”

Now available with different membership options, ECPs can customize the Marlo website and Marlo App interface to include their own practice logo and branding, which streamlines communications and helps patients stay connected to their ECPs throughout their eyecare journey.

“We are collaborating with ECPs and putting them at the center of everything we do,” added Megan Chittenden, Alcon’s new VP of vision care field sales.

Brotherson also briefed attendees regarding Alcon's contact lens business, specifically the company’s TOTAL30 brand, which is now available for both astigmatism and multifocal. She mentioned that “comfort” through “water innovations” continues to be the key in getting more eyeglass wearers to try contact lenses.

“In the patient’s mind, water equals comfort and comfort matters,” Brotherson said. “Our lenses are designed for how patients use their eyes today.”

During the show, SECO attendees have the opportunity to learn more about the Marlo App at Alcon’s booth. Alcon also hosted “Digital Eye Care Innovation for Today’s Patient” with allied health professionals, highlighting the Marlo App and key information.

Looking ahead, the Marlo App for Android will be available later in 2024, the company said.