A Survey on Contact Lens Care in Young Adolescent Student

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to gather valid data for promoting public eye health among adolescent contact lens wearers by investigating the current practices of contact lenses wearers. METHODS: A questionnaire regarding use and care of contact lenses was distributed to middle and high school students. A total of 920 students (472 males, 448 females) were enrolled and the purpose of the study was explained to the students. RESULTS: Among all student, 49% had myopia (male 44%, female 54%) and 12% hyperopia (male 12%, female 13%). In addition, 70% of the subjects chose to wear glasses for vision correction, 27% (male 4%, female 50%) reported they have worn contact lenses and 64% of those were soft contact lenses. The age for starting contact lenses was between 14-16 years of age (63%). Most students (95%) purchased their contact lenses from an optical store. Many (89%) cleaned the contact lenses with cleaning solution on a daily basis, however, only 25% of the students received instructions on how to clean the lens properly. Common complaints associated with use in descending order were hyperemia (31%), foreign body sensation (19%), tearing (16%), pruritis (13%), and keratitis (9%). The subjects reported that the main cause of complications was due to the users' lens handling (93%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study findings showed many adolescents have misleading knowledge regarding use of contact lenses. There is a need for better education of young contact lens users regarding the contact lens care.