COMPLIANCE OF HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH CONTACT LENS USE AND CARE

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to assess if healthcare professionals who wear contact lenses in hospitals comply with the rules for contact lenses use and care. Material and Methods: A survey consisting of questions about contact lenses use and care was distributed to healthcare professionals. The survey investigated the following: a) Demographic data, b) Routines related to the use of contact lenses (type, indication, duration, overnight use), c) Routines related to contact lenses maintenance and cleaning (solution usage habit, exposure to water, hygiene of hands and lens cases). Results: The average age of the participants was 28.35±5.58; 76% were women, and 87.3% were doctors. Contact lenses usage duration was 8.16 years. Most of them wore soft contact lenses for myopia that was changed monthly. 95.8% of participants were prescribed contact lenses by an ophthalmologist. To clean the contact lenses, 93.3% of the participants used multi-purpose solutions, and 7.3% reported that they rarely washed the contact lenses with tap water. A high level of compliance was observed with overnight use, washing hands before putting on and taking off contact lenses, expiration date, and filling the solution into the box or sharing it. Moderate compliance rates were noted for swimming and showering with contact lenses, cleaning, and changing the lens case and contact lenses. Conclusion: Although healthcare professionals are compliant with the use and care of the contact lenses, it is thought that some of them still need training on avoiding contact with water while wearing the contact lenses, never using tap water, and cleaning the lens case and the contact lenses effectively.