Contact lenses wearing. How much do patients know and how to improve it.

Aim: To assess the level of knowledge and experience of contact lens users who have attended the eye casualty seeking advice and treatment for contact lens related problem. The articlewill also providea concise review of the literature regarding contact lens history, types, uses and complications and explore the pathophysiology of the contact lens related conditions. The article will discuss the management and preventive measures for those conditions that may lead to blindness.Methods: Prospective review of patients who have attended a regional eye casualty over a period of January to March 2015.Patients were recruited following the triage details provided. The inclusion criteria was all contact lens users aged16years and above and have been using contact lens for a minimum of 6 months. Survey questionnaire were given to patients who filled them prior to their consultation with the ophthalmologist. The audit was registered with the clinical effectiveness department of the author’s Trust.Extensive review of the literature in regards to contact lens also has been carried out.Results: There were a total of 63 patients under review during the study period consisting of 29 males and 34 females. Ages ranged from 16–80 years. The most common type of lenses used is the soft monthly contact lenses which were found in 55.5% of the target group.The survey has shown the optician as the main provider for the lens in 95% , with the remaining of patients order them online.More than 60% of the target group have shown bad behaviour in sleeping, swimming and showering while having the contact lens in. The majority have indicated that they were given instructions on insertion and removing of the contact lens. However 33.4% have not had information when to seek medical advice. The main source of information given to the users was the optician in 58.8% followed by other resource such as internet, leaflets, and friends in 39.6%. Neither the GP nor the nurse has shown to provide any advice and this could be explained as the optician is the main contact and provider for the contact lens and the only contact with the GP or the Practice nurse would be when there is an issue with the ocular health.The daily duration of wearing contact lens ranged from 4-18 hrs. The figures given has shown an over usage of such lens by some of those users. Furthermore, 55.5% of the users have indicated the using of lubrication eye drops with their contact lens.1in 2  have experienced contact lens related issues prior to their attendance that range from dry eyes to sight threatening corneal ulcersFinally 57% of the target group have been diagnosed with contact lens related infective keratitis and have been treated with intensive topical antibiotics, while the rest have other contact lens related issue that varies from tear film disturbance to allergic conjunctivitis and  superficial punctate keratitis.The survey strongly emphasises the need to re-educate contact lens users about the standard guidelines and activities required to follow while wearing contact lens.Conclusion: Providing advice and education to the contact lenses users is imperative and following the standardsguidelines of contact lens, care is essential for usersin order to avoid any sight threatening condition. There is a need to re-educate patients regarding their contact lens care and the preventive measure of contact lens related complications.