More BrandsMany people prefer contact lenses to glasses for the convenience and freedom they offer. However, many still fail to grasp fully the importance of proper care and the vast majority believe that they are doing a good job of maintaining hygiene. But if the findings of a US study are anything to go by, only a minuscule number of contact lens wearers are actually in full compliance with care practices, although many are well aware of the complications resulting from poor lens care.
The study in question was conducted by researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They based their findings on the answers of 281 contact lens wearers, who filled in written questionnaires. The analysis showed that 58% could put a name to a problem associated with contact lens wear and an impressive 85% stated that they were in compliance with wear and care practices. However, the picture looked quite different when the researchers applied a standard scoring model to assess actual compliance. It turned out that merely 2% were doing a good job and a tiny 0.4% were in full compliance with recommended practices.
The most common transgression is wearing contact lenses while swimming or playing water sports, with 64% of the subjects were found to engage in this risky behaviour. Another bad habit is sleeping with contacts in (56%), while another 52% admitted to wearing their lenses longer than recommended. One of the most basic rules of proper lens care – washing hands before handling the contacts – was found to be disregarded by 49% of the sample.
