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Contact lens status in ametropia correction: a prospective study
Stella T Briggs1, Abdelmalik Nacer
1Department of Optometry, King Saud University, PO Box 10219, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia.
Clinical & Experimental Optometry
|December 17, 2002
Summary
Spectacles are the most common method for correcting vision problems, but many people are open to switching to contact lenses or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the future. This study surveyed ametropia correction methods in Saudi Arabia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Traditional optical devices like spectacles and contact lenses have long corrected ametropia.
- Surgical options, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), are recent advancements in vision correction.
- All ametropia correction methods are accessible in Saudi Arabia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of contact lens use for ametropia correction.
- To assess patient satisfaction with current vision correction methods.
- To understand the willingness of patients to adopt alternative correction methods.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted using questionnaires.
- The study included 574 participants from King Saud University (hospital patients, students, and staff).
- Questionnaires were randomly distributed to the target population.
Main Results:
- Spectacle wearers represented 74.5% of the sample, followed by contact lens wearers (21.8%) and PRK recipients (3.7%).
- Approximately 50% of the surveyed population expressed willingness to change their current correction method.
- A notable percentage of spectacle wearers (17.9%) considered switching to contact lenses, while some contact lens wearers (9.5%) preferred PRK.
Conclusions:
- Contact lenses are currently used by a minority for ametropia correction.
- Spectacles remain the predominant method for vision correction.
- Future trends indicate a growing preference for contact lenses and PRK among the population.