Umm-e Aiman, Muhammad Sadiq, Fareeha Ayub, Khizar Nabeel Ali.
Knowledge and barriers associated with contact lens use among spectacle wearers.
Khyber Med Uni Med J Jan ;15(4):247-53.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and barriers to contact lens usage among spectacle wearers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021 on the spectacle wearers visiting Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Data were obtained from all the respondents of either gender, aged between 18 and 50 years, using a structured questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. RESULTS: Out of 362 study respondents, 184 (50.8%) were females, 248 (68.5%) hailed from urban areas, 92 (25%) were graduates. Mean age of participants was 35.94 +- 10.56 years. Majority (n=170; 47.0%) had Myopia, followed by Astigmatism (n=56; 15.5%). A majority (n=284; 78.5%) expressed satisfaction with their spectacles. Overall, 246 (68%) individuals were aware of contact lenses, and 184 (50.8%) participants were knowledgeable about the dual usage of contact lenses for both cosmetic and correction purposes. Females (63.6%) had more knowledge about contact lenses than males (53.9%). Barriers to contact lens wear reported were lack of interest (14.5%), lack of knowledge (13.5%), difficulty in insertion and removal (12.7%), and fear of side effects (9.5%). The younger adults and those from urban areas were more likely to know about contact lenses. A significant association was seen among barriers and demographics of respondents (p-value 0.012). CONCLUSION: Despite having good knowledge of contact lenses, people were not interested in using them as an alternative vision correction tool. Educating people about contact lenses and conducting experimental trials for visual performance on potential candidates may help overcome the barriers to wearing contact lenses.

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