Characterizing contact lens-related dryness symptoms in a cross-section of UK soft lens wearers

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with contact lens-related dryness symptoms in a large population of soft contact lens patients in the UK. Soft contact lens (CL) wearers (n=932) from 12 UK clinical sites were queried regarding CL history and wearing experience by a self-administered questionnaire. A new score using Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ) items was used where CL-related dry eye (CL-DE)=frequency of 'sometimes', 'frequently', or 'constantly' plus intensity 3-5; NoCL-DE=frequency of 'never' or 'rarely' and intensity 0-1; Marginal CL-DE, all other categories. Data were analyzed across categories, P-values <0.05 significant. The prevalence of CL-DE was: CL-DE=31%, Marginal CL-DE=13% and NoCL-DE=56%. Wearers with CL-DE had significantly lower typical comfort (CL-DE=7.0 ± 1.9; Marginal=7.6 ± 1.9; NoCL-Dry=8.7 ± 1.8, P<0.001), end-of-day comfort (CL-DE=4.9 ± 2.5; Marginal=6.1 ± 2.0; NoCL-DE=7.8 ± 2.1, P<0.001) and shorter comfortable wearing times in hours (CL-DE=9.1 ± 4.4; Marginal=9.8 ± 3.6; NoCL-DE=12.4 ± 5.1, P<0.001). Positive CL-DE status was significantly more likely among toric lens wearers (n=129) compared to spherical lens wearers (43% vs. 30%, P=0.04). Lens material class, lens care system and gender were not significantly related to CL-DE status. Of the CL-DE group, only 38% had been diagnosed with dry eye and 47% self-assessed as dry eye. Use of artificial tears, CLs for dryness, ointments/gels and warm compresses differed between groups according to CL-DE status (P<0.001, all comparisons). The survey provided useful data regarding the current status symptoms among UK soft CL wearers. The CL-DE score predicted patients' wearing experience; poorer comfort, shorter comfortable wearing time and increased use of treatments.