THE REASONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLICATIONS IN SOFT CONTACT LENSES WEARERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Miloš Milosavljević; Jovana Milosavljević; Aleksandar Kočović; Milica Milentijević; Slobodan Janković; Srđan Stefanović

doi:10.5937/mckg54-27342

Miloš Milosavljević
Jovana Milosavljević Univerzitet u Kragujevcu, Fakultet medicinskih nauka
Aleksandar Kočović
Milica Milentijević
Slobodan Janković
Srđan Stefanović

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/mckg54-27342

Keywords: soft contact lenses, dry eye, eye infections, ulceration of cornea

Abstract

Aims: To determine reasons and their actual role in occurrence of complications in users of soft contact lenses.

Methods: This was a qualitative study in which a constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyse obtained data. The study population consisted of two groups of subjects: 10 students who were identified as users of the soft contact lenses and 4 ophtalmologists. Each of the respondents was provided with a single interview. Based on audio recordings of these interviews appropriate transcripts of conversations were made and analyzed. After elimination of waste words 11 key categories were crystallized.

Results: Recommendations of the оphthalmologists perhaps have the decisive role in the formation of attitude that users will have regarding the adequate hygiene of soft contact lenses: hand hygiene, proper cleanliness of storages for soft contact lenses and using the solution in the allotted time are imperative for users of soft contact lenses. Sleeping with soft contact lenses for a long period and more frequently than it was specified in the recommendation of an ophthalmologist is one of the greatest reasons for development symptoms of dry eye, while swimming with soft contact lenses increases risk for the occurrence of eye infections.

Conclusion: Main reasons for the occurrence of complications in soft contact lenses users are inadequate hygiene and weakening of compliance of soft contact lenses users over time.

References

1. Dias L, Manny RE, Weissberg E, Fern KD. Myopia, contact lens use and self-esteem. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2013;33(5):573-8.
2. Fournié P, Touboul D, Arné JL, Colin J, Malecaze F. [Keratoconus]. J Fr Ophtalmol 2013;36(7):618-26.
3. Diec J, Papas E, Naduvilath T, Xu P, Holden BA, Lazon de la Jara P. Combined effect of comfort and adverse events on contact lens performance. Optom Vis Sci 2013;90(7):674-81.
4. Green JA, Phillips KS, Hitchins VM, Lucas AD, Shoff ME, Hutter JC, et al. Material properties that predict preservative uptake for silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Eye Contact Lens 2012;38(6):350-7.
5. Sweeney DF. Have silicone hydrogel lenses eliminated hypoxia? Eye Contact Lens 2013;39(1):53-60.
6. Beljan J, Beljan K, Beljan Z. Complications caused by contact lens wearing. Coll Antropol 2013;37 Suppl 1:179-87.
7. Young G, Young AG, Lakkis C. Review of complications associated with contact lenses from unregulated sources of supply. Eye Contact Lens 2014;40(1):58-64.
8. Burnard P. Searching for meaning: a method of analysing interview transcripts with a personal computer. Nurse Educ Today 1994;14(2):111-7.
9. Kovač Lj. Soft contact lenses. Optic house VIZIJA 2013. Available at: http://www.ocnakucavizija.rs/stranice/mekasociva.php. Last time visited: 01.07.2020.
10. Tighe BJ. A decade of silicone hydrogel development: surface properties,mechanical properties, and ocular compatibility. Eye Contact Lens 2013;39(1):4-12.
11. Suvajac G. [Soft-contact-lenses-induced complications]. Vojnosanit Pregl 2008;65(1):15-20.
12. Food and Drug Administration. Medical Devices. Everyday Eye Care. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ContactLenses/ucm062594.htm. Last time visited:01.07.2020.
13. Gyawali R, Nestha Mohamed F, Bist J, Kandel H, Marasini S, Khadka J. Compliance and hygiene behaviour among soft contact lens wearers in the Maldives. Clin Exp Optom 2014;97(1):43-7.
14. Cho P, Cheng SY, Chan WY, Yip WK. Soft contact lens cleaning: rub or no-rub? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2009;29(1):49-57.
15. Food and Drug Administration. Contact lenses. Types of contact lenses. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ContactLenses/ucm062319.htm. Last time visisted: 01.07.2020.
16. Food and Drug Administration. Medical Devices. Advice for Patients With Soft Contact Lenses:New Information on Risk of Serious Fungal Infection. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm064709.htm. Last time visited:01.07.2020.
17. Abbouda A, Restivo L, Bruscolini A, Pirraglia MP, De Marco F, La Cava M, et al. Contact Lens Care among Teenage Students in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study. Semin Ophthalmol 2014;9:1-7.
18. Food and Drug Administration. Medical Devices. Contact Lens Risks. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ContactLenses/ucm062589.htm. Last time visited:01.07.2020.
19. Feys J. [Rules and regulations concerning contact lens-related infection]. J Fr Ophtalmol 2004;27(4):420-3.
20. Ward SK, Dogru M, Wakamatsu T, Ibrahim O, Matsumoto Y, Kojima T, et al. Passive cigarette smoke exposure and soft contact lens wear. Optom Vis Sci 2010;87(5):367-72.
21. McMonnies CW. Psychological and other mechanisms for end-of-day soft lens symptoms. Optom Vis Sci 2013;90(6):e175-81.
22. Tran N, Graham AD, Lin MC. Ethnic differences in dry eye symptoms: effects of corneal staining and length of contact lens wear. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2013;36(6):281-8.
23. Patel A, Hammersmith K. Contact lens-related microbial keratitis: recent outbreaks. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2008;19(4):302-6.
24. Keay L, Edwards K, Naduvilath T, Forde K, Stapleton F. Factors affecting the morbidity of contact lens-related microbial keratitis: a population study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2006;47(10):4302-8.
25. Verhelst D, Koppen C, Van Looveren J, Meheus A, Tassignon MJ; Belgian Keratitis Study Group. Contact lens-related corneal ulcers requiring hospitalization: a 7-year retrospective study in Belgium. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2006;84(4):522-6.
26. Mah-Sadorra JH, Yavuz SG, Najjar DM, Laibson PR, Rapuano CJ, Cohen EJ. Trends in contact lens-related corneal ulcers. Cornea 2005;24(1):51-8.
27. Stapleton F, Keay L, Edwards K, Naduvilath T, Dart JK, Brian G, et al. The incidence of contact lens-related microbial keratitis in Australia. Ophthalmology 2008;115(10):1655-62.