Original Research

Attitude and behaviour of soft contact lens wearers toward compliance in Gauteng, South Africa

Tania B. Noach, Thokozile I. Metsing, Dirk Booysen
African Vision and Eye Health | Vol 82, No 1 | a822 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.822 | © 2023 Tania B. Noach, Thokozile I. Metsing, Dirk Booysen | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 18 November 2022 | Published: 19 June 2023

About the author(s)

Tania B. Noach, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Thokozile I. Metsing, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dirk Booysen, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: There are ongoing concerns regarding adherence to contact lens (CL) care regimens by wearers. Global studies evaluating behavioural trends have shown that full compliance to CL wear is rare and widespread non-compliance exists.

Aim: This study aimed to identify levels of compliance with recommended care regimens by probing the attitudes and behaviours of soft CL wearers.

Setting: Gauteng, South Africa

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to pose questionnaires to CL wearers and optometrists. Data were collected quantitatively via convenience sampling.

Results: A total of (n = 171) CL participants responded, with more female (63%) than male (37%) wearers. Two-thirds (66%) used monthly lenses and (59%) knew when it was time to replace lenses. Of those, 72% did not know which brand of CLs they wore, while 74% were unsure of which multipurpose solution was used. Low levels of case hygiene were found with close to half (48%) never cleaning or disinfecting CL cases. It emerged that 77% of participants reported having received instruction from an optometrist on CL care; however, non-adherence was evident.

Data collected from (n = 125) participant optometrists showed that less than half (45%), rated patients as having average compliance despite 61% of CL wearers on the contrary expressing satisfaction with care regimens.

Conclusion: Results provide evidence that suggests a cause for concern in many areas related to compliance by CL wearers.

Contribution: Optometrists and CL wearers were investigated thus providing insight into CL wear habits from two perspectives.


Keywords

contact lenses; eye health; vision correction; compliance; contact lens care regimen.

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics

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Crossref Citations

1. A clearer vision: a mini-review on contact lenses
Lina M. Shaker, Ahmed A. Al-Amiery, Waleed Khalid Al-Azzawi
Journal of Optics  vol: 53  issue: 2  first page: 949  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1007/s12596-023-01222-w