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Evaluating patient anxiety levels during contact lens fitting
Helen Court1, Katy Greenland, Tom H Margrain
1School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. waltersH1@cardiff.ac.uk
Summary
Patient anxiety during contact lens fittings peaks during communication and advice. However, anxiety significantly decreases post-examination, suggesting experience may moderate patient stress.
Area of Science:
- Optometry
- Ophthalmology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Patient anxiety negatively impacts primary healthcare.
- Anxiety in optometric settings, particularly during contact lens fittings, is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient anxiety during a standard contact lens fitting examination.
- To identify specific stages within the fitting process that elicit patient anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Continuous skin conductance recording to measure physiological arousal.
- Administered the Speilberger state anxiety scale pre- and post-consultation to 40 participants.
- Analyzed arousal patterns during history taking, lens insertion/removal, and advice delivery.
Main Results:
- Physiological arousal peaked during communicative interactions, including history taking and practitioner advice.
- Skin conductance indicated heightened arousal during contact lens insertion and removal.
- A significant reduction in self-reported anxiety was observed after the contact lens fitting.
Conclusions:
- Patient anxiety fluctuates predictably during contact lens fittings, with peaks during interactive phases.
- Optometrists should reinforce information given to patients due to potential attention deficits linked to anxiety.
- The post-examination reduction in anxiety suggests that the experience itself may help alleviate patient stress.
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