Compliance With Daily Disposable Contact Lens Replacement Among Contact Lens Wearers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose The main purpose of this study is to evaluate adherence to daily disposable contact lens (DDCL) replacement, identify factors contributing to non-compliance, and assess related risk behaviors. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 144 DDCL users, of whom 80 were female (55.56%). The mean age of participants was 27.80 ± 7.22 years. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, contact lens (CL) history, replacement habits, self-reported side effects, risky lens-wearing behaviors, and care instructions. Results Lens reuse was reported by 83 (57.64%) participants, and was significantly associated with gender, age, and wear duration (p < 0.05). Reuse was mainly driven by cost-saving in 35 (24.31%) participants and belief in reusability (24, 16.67%). Only 37 (25.69%) participants followed proper cleaning steps. Common risky behaviors included napping with lenses in 113 (78.47%) participants and skipping follow-up visits in 106 (73.61%) participants, both of which were significantly linked to reuse (p < 0.05). Only 36 (25.00%) participants believed daily replacement was essential, while 29 (20.14%) perceived no risk. Although 70 (48.61%) participants received verbal care instructions, 112 (77.78%) preferred written and video formats. Notably, 75 (52.08%) participants were unaware of the risks of reuse, contributing to non-compliance (p < 0.05). Conclusions Non-compliance was influenced by financial constraints, misconceptions about lens safety, lack of proper education, younger age, female gender, and limited lens experience. Improved, multimodal patient education is essential to promote safer practices and enhance ocular health outcomes.