Current recommendations and practice regarding soft lens replacement and disinfection

We evaluate contact lens wearers' compliance with practitioner recommendations through the analysis of survey data. Trends in practitioner recommendations on discarding intervals and frequency of disinfection for soft contact lenses are analyzed and compared to actual wearer usage.

The results of two primary surveys are used. One survey measures fit and wear recommendations for contact lens patients by eyecare providers during 1994 and 1995. The second survey was conducted at the end of 1995 to ascertain contact lens wearers' practices in contact lens wear and care.

The general trend in practitioner recommendations is towards either disposable or frequent programmed replacement intervals coupled with daily disinfection. Approximately 15% of the brands marketed for disposable use were recommended for replacement at intervals longer than two weeks--the longest interval associated with disposable lenses. We observe a discrepancy between practitioner recommendations and the lens care provided by patients, noting a tendency to replace lenses at intervals longer than recommended.

Trends in practitioner recommendations are consistent with expectations of providers. However, the observation that patients tend to increase their discarding intervals implies that practitioners could do better in educating their patients as to discarding intervals and in prescribing products that best match patient needs for both convenience and cost. These data should alert contact lens fitters to the importance of giving clear instructions to patients on how they should wear and care for contact lenses.