Volume 26, Issue 122, April 2022

Habits of contact lenses use and the associated outcomes among medical students, King Faisal University, Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia

Noor Al Osaif^1♦, Walaa Aldairi²

¹Pediatric surgery department, Maternity and Children hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
²Ophthalmology department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Paediatric surgery department, Maternity and Children Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: Contact lenses (CLs) are prosthetic devices used worldwide for many purposes. Inappropriate use of CLs increases the risk of complications, while adherence to CLs care and following the instructions are essential to prevent these complications. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of CLs use, the adherence to hygiene practice, and the associated complications among medical students at King Faisal University in Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done by an online self-administered questionnaire that was filled by medical students at King Faisal University in Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia. It included sociodemographic, history of CLs use, wear & replacement Habits, cleaning & disinfection procedures, care of accessories, complications associated with CLs use. Results: 110 subjects participated in the research. CLs were more commonly used by female for refractive correction. Only 30 (27%) participants were considered as real users. The average of both scores of WRH and CDP was above 3, with median of the two scores equals or above 3, indicating good compliance. However, COA score had an average of 2.48, which was below 3, with median score equal 2.5, demonstrating general poor compliance. Dry eye (88%) and acute red eye (51%) were reported as the most frequent complications of CLs use (88% and 51%, respectively). Conclusion: Improper use and non- compliance to hygiene practice of CLs pose a higher risk of complications. Education and encouraging CL users are necessary to improve the users’ habits and outcomes.

Keywords: Medical students, Contact lenses, Dry eye, Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia

Medical Science, 2022, 26, ms124e2153

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v26i122/ms124e2153

Published: 09 April 2022