Contact lens compliance remains an issue. While contact lens–related eye infections are relatively uncommon, they can be vision-threatening. As far back as 1990, Eye & Contact Lens reported that “age under 30 and obtaining lenses for cosmetic or convenience reasons were the two variables statistically associated with non-compliant behavior.” Fast forward to 2020, when Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses cited further interesting findings:
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, according to a recent report from the CDC. One third of lens wearers who responded to the study’s survey recalled never hearing any lens care recommendations from their eye doctor, even though most clinicians reported sharing recommendations always or most of the time. So, despite the educational efforts going on in the exam rooms, the importance of lens care isn’t always getting through.
Research continues to show that most serious complications are linked to modifiable behaviors such as overnight wear without approval, water exposure, and poor case hygiene. “Some of the most common problems happen because patients are trying to save time or money,” says Teresa Narayan, OD, in the RCCL piece quoted above.
Contact Lens Institute (CLI) addressed the compliance problem most recently by updating The EASY Way (Eyes, Awareness, Safety and You), its initiative that helps the eye care community discuss healthy contact lens wear-and-care routines with patients.
Use these new free assets to boost patient education: a one-sheet infographic, social media designs, animated GIF, YouTube shorts, and even a staff quiz for your practice. All digital graphics are available in five languages.
The Center for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) is another great spot for patient education handouts on a host of contact lens-related topics. Here’s a few that caught my eye:
- Can Kids Wear Contact Lenses? A Guide for Parents
- Inserting a Contact Lens: A Guide for Children (Includes step-by-step photos and problems/solutions. There’s a separate guide for removing contact lenses.)
- Unexpected All-Nighter? Don’t Be Casual with your Contact Lenses
- Eye Makeup Tips for People Who Wear Soft Contact Lenses
The CDC offers a few one-sheets here: Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care
The AOA and CDC partnered on a one-minute-long, shareable YouTube video: 9 Healthy Contact Lens Habits
Further recommended resources:
How Can We Better Inform Patients of the Importance of Contact Lens Compliance?: Current Perspectives, Clinical Optometry
Contact Lens Rule Compliance Toolkit for ODs, AOA
Here’s an interesting discussion in r/Chempros about wearing contact lenses in a lab setting. And I’ll include the most recent CDC guidance on contact lens use in a chemical environment. Historically, labs would prohibit contact lenses entirely because of the belief that lenses could trap chemicals against the eye, but modern research doesn’t support a blanket ban. The most important rule: Lenses are not eye protection.
