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Study: disparity in contact lens patient attitudes, compliance

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LAS VEGAS – Although most contact lens patients place a high premium on their visual health, compliance behaviors fail to reflect this attitude, according to a study presented here at Optometry’s Meeting, the American Optometric Association (AOA) Congress.

The study, sponsored by CIBA Vision and presented by CIBA Vision’s Rick Weisbarth, OD, at a company press conference, noted several inconsistencies in patient attitudes and their compliance behavior.

“To say we have a problem with compliance would be a gross understatement,” Dr. Weisbarth said.

Of the patients surveyed for the study, 96% of soft contact lens wearers reported that they considered taking care of their eye health to be an important part of their overall wellness. Preventing loss of vision was reported as the top priority in terms of eye health, Dr. Weisbarth said.

However, 66% of these patients admitted to napping in their lenses occasionally, and 18% admitted to sleeping in their lenses sometimes. Of that 18%, 28% admitted to sleeping overnight in (non-silicone hydrogel) lenses for more than 7 days. Only one in five of these patients reported feeling guilty about this behavior.

Dr. Weisbarth said 33% of the soft contact lens wearers surveyed reported following the manufacturer’s replacement schedules. Only 17% of disposable lens wearers reported that they replace their lenses every 1 to 2 weeks, despite the fact that 66% of these patients wore lenses that were intended to be replaced every 2 weeks.

Lens care and hygiene aspects of the study yielded similarly disturbing results, Dr. Weisbarth said. Of the patients surveyed, 42% said they changed their contact lens cases every 1 to 3 months; 38% said they cleaned their contact lens cases with tap water; and 30% reported storing lenses overnight in saline or eye drop solutions.

Dr. Weisbarth said 13% of patients admitted rinsing their lenses in their mouths; 23% said they rinsed their lenses with water; and 27% rinsed with “other.”

“We are very fortunate that the eye has such a strong defense mechanism in place,” Dr. Weisbarth said.