ABSTRACT
Increase in cosmetic and prescription use of lenses is proportional to lens- related complications. Lens users in the UAE are particularly at risk of infection due to the foreign bodies and dust particles in the air during occurrences of sandstorms. To estimate the prevalence of contact lens use among university students, to assess the frequency of complications in contact lens users based on the type of lenses used, to assess the level of compliance amongst users regarding hygiene practices and to compare the frequency of complications between contact lens users and non-users. A cross sectional study was done among 241 students of Gulf Medical University, Ajman. The study included students from all the different faculties. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed, after approval by the Ethical Committee. All the data obtained from the questionnaires were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 20 software. Of the students participating 26.3% were contact lens users. Of the contact lens users, 41% used daily wear contact lenses. Contact lens users suffered most frequently from red eyes, dry eyes, burning and itching. 23.2% non-contact lens users showed dry eyes. 73.3% of contact lens users were found to practice safe hygiene and handling of contact lenses. Contact lens use is not highly prevalent amongst students. The most common eye complications experienced by the students were red eyes, dry eyes, burning and itching. Dry eyes were a frequently experienced symptom by both non-contact lens users and contact lens users. The majority of the students practiced safe handling