A prospective study of non-compliance in contact lens wear

Abstract

Non-compliance in the contact lens field has been widely documented and discussed. The major areas of non-compliance in contact lens wear have been highlighted as the lack of hand and lens-case hygiene, the overwearing of contact lenses, the poor attendance of patients at aftercare appointments and the inadequate use of care and maintenance systems. Education is one of the factors thought to influence compliance. A prospective, randomised, controlled and double-masked study was performed to assess the effect of a ‘compliance enhancement strategy’ on levels of compliance among contact lens wearers over 12 months. Eighty experienced contact lens patients were allocated randomly to two experimental groups. A standard level of contact lens instruction was applied to the first group and, in addition, extra education was given to patients in the second group. Patients were given free supplies of ReNu Multi Purpose solution and Medalist 38 soft contact lenses (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, New York). Compliance levels were assessed at a 12-month aftercare appointment by demonstration and questionnaire. The results indicate that the additional education had no significant effect on the compliance levels of the patients to whom it was applied. The population of contact lens wearers was generally very compliant and the contact lenses and care regimen were clinically successful. The results for the whole study population were compared with those reported in previous compliance studies. The results were found to be similar in many areas. Practitioners are encouraged to review the compliant behaviour of their contact lens patients at every aftercare appointment and pay particular attention to the areas of frequent non-compliance highlighted.