Influence of Refractive Status, Residential Climate, and Adverse Environmental Factors in Contact Lens Dropout:...

This study aimed to analyze the influence of refractive status, residential climate, and exposure to adverse environmental factors in contact lens (CL) dropout.

This cross-sectional study involved a face-to-face survey conducted by trained optometrists among former and current CL wearers (CLWs) at General Óptica centers throughout Spain. The survey included questions related to demographic characteristics, refractive status, residential climate, and adverse environmental factors. The chi-square test and a forward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis were performed.

A total of 1094 surveys were included, comprising 509 former CLWs and 585 current CLWs. Age (B = 0.03; OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04) and exposure to chemical (B = 3.51; OR 41.67, 95% CI 12.06-143.95) or dusty environments (B = 1.05; OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.16-7.41) were significantly associated with CL dropout. However, residing in a continental climate was associated with a lower CL dropout compared with a Mediterranean climate (B = - 1.39; OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.15-0.42). Spherical refraction, cylindrical refraction, and near addition power did not show statistically significant associations with CL dropout. Furthermore, the model excluded sex, exposure to high-humidity or dry environments, and the interactions between adverse environmental factors and residential climate as predictive factors.

Older age, residence in the Mediterranean climate, and exposure to chemical or dusty environments increase the risk of contact lens dropout. However, climate-specific conditions do not appear to significantly influence dropout rates, suggesting that other factors may play a more important role.