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Researchers find patient age influences lens wearing behaviors
A study by Wagner and colleagues found that the patient’s age affects behavior and environmental and health factors contributing to corneal infectious and inflammatory events in young soft contact lens wearers.
Previous studies have shown that the risk of such events related to soft lens wear is highest in late adolescence and early adulthood, the authors said in the study, published in Optometry and Vision Science.
The researchers collected data electronically from 542 soft contact lens wearers between 12 and 33 years old, with 34% being male.
Wearers 18 to 21 years reported more nights with less than 6 hours of sleep, more colds/flu and higher stress and were more likely to wear the lenses when showering and more frequently during naps. Other behaviors for the 18- to 21-year-old and the 22- to 25-year-old population included sleeping in the lenses after alcohol use, when traveling and when away from home. In addition, lower rates of regular hand washing before lens application was common.
Wagner and her colleagues found that, “Patient age influences lens wearing behaviors, environmental exposures and other determinants of health that may contribute to increased corneal infectious and inflammatory events in younger wearers.”
The study group suggests age-specific education for new and established soft contact lens wearers.
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Wagner H, et al. Optom Vis Sci. 2014;doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000164.