Abstract

An estimated 45 million U.S. residents enjoy the benefits of contact lens wear, but many of them might be at increased risk for complications stemming from improper wear and care behaviors (1). One of the most serious complications of contact lens wear is a corneal infection known as microbial keratitis, which can sometimes result in reduced vision or blindness (2). In 2014, 50% of contact lens wearers reported ever sleeping in contact lenses, and 55% reported topping off* their contact lens solutions (3), which put them at greater risk for a contact lens-related eye infection (2,4). Data on communication between eye care providers and contact lens wearers on contact lens wear and care recommendations are limited. Two surveys were conducted to better understand and assess contact lens education about nine recommendations: the first assessed contact lens wearer experiences regarding recommendations received from eye care providers during their most recent appointment; the second evaluated provider-reported practices for communicating contact lens wear and care recommendations to their patients. One third (32.9%) of contact lens wearers aged ≥18 years recalled never hearing any lens wear and care recommendations. Fewer than half (47.9%) recalled hearing their provider recommend not sleeping in lenses at their last visit, and 19.8% recalled being told to avoid topping off their contact lens solution. A majority of providers reported sharing recommendations always or most of the time at initial visits, regular checkups, and complication-related visits. Providers reported sharing nearly all recommendations more frequently at initial and complication-related visits than at regular checkups. Of the nine recommendations for safe contact lens wear and care, eye care providers at regular checkups most often recommend complying with the recommended lens replacement schedules (85% of regular visits), not sleeping in lenses (79.0% of regular visits), and not topping off solutions (64.4% of regular visits). Eye care providers play an important role in the health of their contact lens-wearing patients and can share health communication messages with their patients to help educate them about healthy wear and care habits. These findings can assist in the creation of health communication messages to help encourage eye care providers to communicate more effectively with their patients.

Highlights

  • What is already known about this topic

  • Most of the 45 million contact lens wearers in the United States practice at least some behaviors that put them at risk for serious eye infections

  • What is added by this report

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Summary

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Survey questions assessed how often providers mentioned the same nine contact lens wear and care recommendations to their patients at initial contact lens fittings, during regular checkups and annual visits, and at visits when patients are seen for contact lens–related complications. Frequencies for both surveys were calculated using SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute) with complex sample survey procedures when appropriate. Because no interaction or intervention with human subjects occurred by U.S Department of Health and Human Services researchers for the provider survey and no personally identifiable information was used, collected, or transmitted during the course of this analysis of previously collected data, this analysis was not considered human subjects research§ requiring review by CDC’s institutional review board. § As defined in 45 CFR part 46. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-andpolicy/regulations/45-cfr-46/index.html

Gender Female Male
Discussion
Regular checkups
What are the implications for public health practice?
Full Text
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