Current approaches to soft contact lens handling training - Global perspectives

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• Neophyte contact lens wearers require comprehensive training for safe and effective lens handling.
• Existing literature lacks detailed information on current global practices for soft contact lens training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and document the diverse approaches used by eye care professionals in training new soft contact lens wearers worldwide.
• To gather data on the methods, duration, and perceived success rates of soft contact lens application and removal training.

Main Methods:

• An international online survey was conducted among eye care professionals regarding their soft contact lens training techniques.
• The survey collected data on respondent demographics, training methodologies for lens application/removal, appointment length, and success rates.
• Responses were gathered from May 2021 to April 2022, with data analyzed from 511 participants across 31 countries.

Main Results:

• The most common application technique involved patients holding upper eyelashes and the lower eyelid with the same hand (84.7% and 89.4%, respectively).
• Lens application directly to the cornea was practiced by 57.7% of respondents.
• The primary removal method involved inferring the lens from the cornea (49.3%), with most training sessions lasting a median of 30 minutes.

Conclusions:

• Global practices for soft contact lens application and removal training exhibit significant variation.
• While many professionals advocate for patient-specific approaches, common techniques are widely adopted.
• The study provides valuable insights into current clinical practices for soft contact lens handling education.