Assessment of ocular hygiene and compliance among contact lens users during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of contact lens users among medical students and professionals in a tertiary hospital regarding eye hygiene and access to Ophthalmological medical services in the pandemic.After obtaining consent, a Questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 2 months among 102 candidates including medical professionals and students in a tertiary hospital using Contact lenses. Chi-square statistics was used to analyze categorical variables, considering p-value<0.05 as statistically significant.83 users (81.37%) reported that their contact lens usage has reduced particularly during the pandemic, of whom 55 users (66.26%) stated to have had a fear of being more susceptible to COVID-19’. A significant number of users (n=35; p value=0.0015) even consider that it is necessary for contact lens users to switch to spectacles. A significant number of users (42 users; 41.18%) have confessed to touching their faces and eyes without proper hand washing. Only 16 participants (15.69%) were aware of the guidelines for contact lens usage and only 30 users (29.41%) availed tele-health services.The existence of poor Contact lens compliance amongst users as reflected by this study and many alike highlights the responsibility of Ophthalmologists to make sure that proper practices are maintained by increasing awareness among the public by addressing their fears and explaining the detrimental effects of unhygienic contact lens usage.