Retention Rates in New Contact Lens Wearers

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• Neophyte contact lens (CL) wear is a significant area of practice for optometrists and ophthalmologists.
• Understanding patient retention is crucial for successful CL fitting and long-term wear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the first-year retention rate (RR) for neophyte patients fitted with contact lenses (CLs).
• To identify factors associated with contact lens retention and dropout in new wearers.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multisite registry study involving 531 neophyte CL wearers across 26 UK practices.
• Participants completed online or phone surveys at 1, 3, and 12 months post-fitting to assess CL wearing experience.

Main Results:

• The overall first-year retention rate was 77.6% (194/250) among evaluable subjects.
• One in four patients discontinued CL wear by 12 months.
• Top reasons for discontinuation included visual problems (41%), discomfort (36%), and handling issues (25%).

Conclusions:

• The first-year retention rate for neophyte contact lens wearers is 77.6%, aligning with previous retrospective findings.
• Visual problems remain the primary reason for contact lens discontinuation.
• Factors influencing retention include sex, refractive error, wearing schedule, and lens supply method.