Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.02.05

Lens Care Compliance Rates and Perceptions among Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Wearers – a Pilot Study

Marija Barišić Kutija ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Kuzman ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Miro Kalauz ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Jukić ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Perić ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Sonja Jandroković ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Škegro ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Masnec ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Danijela Mrazovac Zimak ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Nenad Vukojević ; Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The aim was to estimate compliance rate among rigid gas permeable lens wearers
(RGPLW) in lens system care, identify procedures in lens care process with poorest compliance
levels, and assess concordance between participant reported practices and their subjectively perceived
compliance. The study included outpatient RGPLW managed at Zagreb University Hospital Center
in Zagreb, Croatia. They filled out a questionnaire that included demographic data, duration of lens
wear, self-evaluation compliance grade, and 14 lens care procedures and wearing habits indicative of
compliance. There were 50 patients (mean age 34.6 years, 68% female). Full compliance was found in
a single patient. The mean number of non-compliant procedures was 5.48, with 32% of participants
non-compliant in more than 50% of the compliance criteria. Critical procedures of the lens care
process were infrequent lens case exchange (74%), using tap water for lens (70%), and improper case
cleaning (68%). The mean lens case replacement time was 9.8 months (SD 6.76), with only 26% of patients
replacing lens case at least once in 3 months. Excessive daily lens wear was associated with greater
total number of non-compliant procedures (p<0.0008). RGPLW were aware of their inappropriate
lens care only when achieved non-compliance in almost 50% of the procedures. In conclusion, lens
wearers were not aware of their extremely low compliance rate in several aspects of lens and lens case
maintenance. Study results indicated the key procedures the practitioners should focus on when evaluating
subjective and objective compliance and reinforcing care and hygiene education of RGPLW.

Keywords

Contact lens; Lens and lens case replacement; Lens care; Patient compliance

Hrčak ID:

284672

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/284672

Publication date:

1.8.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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