Compliance among soft contact lens wearers

Professional paper - Professional paper

• Title (croatian): Suradljivost nosioca mekih kontaktnih leća
• Author: Tomislav Kuzman
• Author: Marija Barišić Kutija
• Author: Sanja Masnec
• Author: Sonja Jandroković
• Author: Danijela Mrazovac
• Author: Darija Jurišić
• Author: Ivan Škegro
• Author: Miro Kalauz
• Author: Rajko Kordić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Contact lens compliance is proven to be crucial for preventing lens wear-related complications because of the interdependence of the steps in lens care regime and their influence on lens system microbial contamination. Awareness of the patients' lens handling compliance as well as correct recognition of non-compliant behaviours is the basis for creating more targeted strategies for patient education. The aim of this study was to investigate compliance among soft contact lens (SCL) wearers in different aspects of lens care handling and wearing habits. In our research 50 asymptomatic lens wearers filled out a questionnaire containing demographic data, lens type, hygiene and wearing habits, lenses and lens care system replacement schedule and self-evaluation of contact lens handling hygiene. We established criteria of compliance according to available manufacturer's recommendations, prior literature and our clinical experience. Only 2 (4%) of patients were fully compliant SCL wearers. The most common non-compliant behaviours were insufficient lens solution soaking time (62%), followed by failure to daily exchange lens case solution and showering while wearing lenses. 44% of patients reported storing lenses in saline solution. Mean lens storage case replacement was 3.6 months, with up to 78% patients replacing lens case at least once in 3 months. Average grade in self evaluating level of compliance was very good (4 +/- 0.78) (from 1-poor level of hygiene to 5-great level of hygiene). Lens wearers who reported excessive daily lens wear and more than 10 years of lens wearing experience were also found to be less compliant with other lens system care procedures. (t = -2.99, df=47, p < 0.0045 and t = -2.33, df= 48, p < 0.024, respectively). Our study indicates that almost all patients had some degree of non-compliance in lens system maintenance steps. Most common non-compliant behaviours were the ones that are crucial for maintaining lens sterility and preventing infection. Despite the low objective compliance rate, self grading was relatively high. Therefore, these results indicate the need for patient education and encouragement of better lens wearing habits and all of the lens maintenance steps at each patient visit.

Abstract (croatian)

Suradljivost nosioca kontaktnih leća najvažniji je faktor prevencije komplikacija povezanih s nošenjem leća. Razlog
tome je međusobna povezanost pojedinih koraka prilikom održavanja leća i njihov utjecaj na bakterijsku kontaminaciju.
Svijest o ispravnom održavanju leća i prepoznavanje neodgovarajućih ponašanja prilikom njege leća temelj je prevencije
komplikacija. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi razne aspekte suradljivosti prilikom održavanja mekih kontaktnih leća.
50 asimptomatskih nosioca leća ispunilo je upitnik, koji je sadržavao demografske podatke, vrstu leća, navike nošenja i
održavanja leća, učestalost izmjene leća i kutijica za leće te ocjenu vlastite razine suradljivosti prilikom održavanja leća.
Utvrdili smo vlastite kriterije za suradljivost prema uputama proizvođača leća i otopina za leće, dostupnoj literaturi i
našim kliničkim iskustvima. Potpunu suradljivost našli smo kod samo 2 pacijenta (4%). Najčešća nesuradljiva ponašanja
bila su prekratko držanje leća u posudici s tekućinom za leće (62%), nadolijevanje tekućine za leće u već postojeću u
kutijici te tuširanje s kontaktnim lećama. 44% pacijenata čuvalo je leće u fiziološkoj otopini. Prosječna učestalost zamjene
posudica za leće bila je 3,6 mjeseci, a čak 78% pacijenata zamijeni kutijicu za leće barem jedanput u 3 mjeseca.
Prosječna ocjena prilikom procjene vlastite razine suradljivosti bila je vrlo dobar (4±0,78) (1-vrlo loša suradljivost,
5-odlična suradljivost). Pacijenti koji su nosili leće više od 12 sati dnevno te oni koji imaju više od 10 godina iskustva
nošenja leća bili su slabije suradljivi i u raznim drugim aspektima održavanja leća (t= –2,99, df=47, p<0,0045 i t= –2,33,
df= 48, p<0,024, pojedinačno). Naše istraživanje pokazuje da su gotovo svi pacijenti bili nesuradljivi u barem nekom
aspektu prilikom održavanja leća. Većina nesuradljivosti bila je upravo kod onih ponašanja koja su inače važna za
održavanje sterilnosti i prevenciju infekcija. Unatoč niskoj objektivnoj suradljivosti, vlastita ocjena suradljivosti bila je
relativno visoka. Naši rezultati ukazuju na potrebu bolje edukacije pacijenata te poticanja ispravnijih navika i pridržavanja
pojedinih koraka prilikom održavanja leća na svakoj redovnoj kontroli.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Contact Lens Solutions; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; Humans; Hygiene; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Young Adult
• Language: english
• Publication type: Professional paper - Professional paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Collegium Antropologicum
• Numbering: vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 1217-1221
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:812714
• Publication: 2014-12
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/147440
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 08:22:09