Abstract
Evidence from studies globally confirm that contact lens wearers are non-compliant with care regimens; despite receiving instruction from optometrists, many do not adhere to recommendations and continue with lens wear in the presence of discomfort (Morgan et al., 2011; Yee et al., 2021). No statistics on contact lens compliance in Gauteng could be accessed, and the aim of this study was to investigate attitudes and behaviour of soft contact lens wearers toward care regimens in Gauteng. Method: A cross-sectional design was used to pose questionnaires that were voluntarily completed by (n=171) contact lens wearers and (n=125) optometrists. A quantitative, cross-sectional approach was taken. Questionnaires were used to collect data from participants (contact lenses wearers and optometrists). The questionnaire for contact lens participants probed on demographics, knowledge, care regimens and compliance; whilst that of optometrists probed on demographics, complications noted and optometrists’ perception of patient compliance. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22 and descriptive statistics were utilised for the analysis of results. Results: Of (n=171) contact lens wearers, a total of 63% (n=107) were female and 37% (n=64) male. Most commonly used lenses were monthly disposables 66%, and 77% of participants had received instruction from an optometrist on contact lens use. Sleeping with contact lenses inserted was generally low with 12% of participants sleeping in lenses almost or every time. Slightly more than half (53%) changed contact lens cases with a new bottle of multipurpose solution opened, and two thirds (66%) discarded case solution daily. Compliance with tracking of replacement schedules was shown by 59% of participants, whilst discomfort was noted as the main reason to replace contact lenses by 18% of participants. Slightly more than half (52%) of participants washed hands almost every time prior to insertion and removal of contact lenses. Contraction of infection due to contact lens wear was significant with 55% of (n=171) participants having experienced eye infection, and of these, 29% reported infection being related to contact lens wear almost every time. Data collected from optometrists (n=125), revealed that less than half (45%) of optometrists rated their patients as having average compliance. According to optometrists, factors related to poor compliance were; patients not being aware of complications due to improper lens use, costs, and wearing...
M.Phil. (Optometry)