International rigid contact lens prescribing

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Contact Lens Technology

Background:

• The introduction of soft contact lenses significantly reduced the fitting of rigid contact lenses.
• Understanding the contemporary trends in rigid contact lens fitting is essential for eye care practitioners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the decline in rigid contact lens fitting during the first decade of the 21st century.
• To identify the typical patient profiles and fitting patterns for rigid contact lenses.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of annual contact lens fitting survey data from 2000 to 2008.
• Data collected from Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK, and the USA.

Main Results:

• A consistent decline in rigid contact lens fittings was observed across surveyed countries.
• Rigid lenses are predominantly fitted for existing successful wearers, particularly older females, often with higher Dk materials.
• Full-time wear without planned replacement is typical for rigid lenses.
• Orthokeratology showed significant popularity in the Netherlands but was rarely prescribed in other surveyed nations.

Conclusions:

• Rigid contact lens fitting has become a niche practice, primarily serving established wearers.
• Demographic and material trends indicate a specialized role for rigid lenses in modern optometric practice.
• Geographical variations exist in the adoption of specific rigid lens modalities like orthokeratology.