An international survey of toric contact lens prescribing

To characterize toric contact lens prescribing worldwide. Up to 1,000 survey forms were sent to contact lens fitters in up to 39 countries between January and March every year for 5 consecutive years (2007–2011). Practitioners were asked to record data relating to the first 10 contact lens fits or refits performed after receiving the survey form. Only data for toric and spherical soft lens fits were analyzed. Survey data collected since 1996 were also analyzed for 7 nations to assess toric lens fitting trends since that time. Data were collected in relation to 21,150 toric fits (25%) and 62,150 spherical fits (75%). Toric prescribing ranged from 6% of lenses in Russia to 48% in Portugal. Compared with spherical fittings, toric fittings can be characterized as follows: older age (29.8 ± 11.4 years vs. 27.6 ± 10.8 years for spherical lenses); men are overrepresented (38% vs. 34%); greater proportion of new fits (39% vs. 32%); use of silicone hydrogel lenses (49% vs. 39%); and lower proportion of daily disposable lenses (14% vs. 28%). There has been a continuous increase in toric lens prescribing between 1996 and 2011. The proportion of toric lens fits was positively related to the gross domestic product at purchasing power parity per capita for year 2011 (r2 = 0.21; P=0.004). At the present time, in the majority of countries surveyed, toric soft contact lens prescribing falls short of that required to correct clinically significant astigmatism (≥0.75 diopters) in all lens wearers.

Contact lens fitting and training in a child and youth population

PURPOSE: To determine the ease with which children and youths without previous soft contact lens (SCL) experience were able to handle, care for, adapt and be fitted with SCLs. METHODS: 179 children aged 8-16 were recruited. Study visits included: screening and training visits, 1-week and 3-month follow-ups. During the training visit, the time taken to demonstrate proficiency in lens insertion and removal and care was recorded. A second training visit was scheduled if necessary. RESULTS: Nine children did not complete the screening visit and eight discontinued during the study. Of those eight, seven discontinued during the first week and one before the 3-month visit. Of those recruited, 90.5% (162/179) were successfully fitted and completed the study. A majority of children were dispensed with lenses at the first training visit (94.6%, 162/171). The mean training time for all children was 30min. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of lenses required to fit or instruction time by age group (p>0.05) or gender (p>0.05). Nine participants (5.3%, 9/171) required a second training visit with four still unable to handle lenses (2.3%, 4/171). By the 1-week visit 13.2% (22/167) of participants either lost or tore lenses, no subsequent lost or torn lenses occurred. No serious adverse events occurred during the study. CONCLUSION: Children and youths with no previous contact lens experience were easily fitted, able to successfully wear and care for lenses. The results of this study should encourage practitioners to recommend SCLs as a vision correction option.

Contact lens prescribing trends 2015 : The Efron, Morgan and Woods 16th annual survey of Australian contact lens prescribing habits

The 16th annual survey ofAustralian contact lens prescribingwas conducted from January toApril 2015. The same format as inprevious years was employed. Ane-mail was sent to all members ofOptometry Australia with a link to adownloadable questionnaire, and arequest that this be accessed, printedand completed to provide detailsof the first 10 patients fitted withcontact lenses after receipt of thequestionnaire.The survey was specifically designedto be straightforward to completewhile capturing key informationabout their patients. Practitionerswere asked general questions aboutthemselves. For each contact lensfitting, they were requested tocomplete the following details: dateof fitting, new fitting or refitting, ageand sex of patient, lens material, lensdesign, frequency of replacement,times per week of wear, modality(daily or extended wear) and caresystem. Practitioners were asked toreturn the questionnaire by fax, postor e-mail.Completed questionnaires relatingto 353 contact lens fittings werereturned, which provides a soundbasis for a meaningful analysis. Eachfitting was given a weighting based onthe number of lenses fitted per yearby the practitioner, based on the dateinformation on the form. This meansthat data generated by practitionerswho have a higher frequency of fittingcontact lenses were afforded a higherweighting than those taking longer tofit the 10 patients with lenses.This discussion concentratesprimarily on data relating to newlens fittings as opposed to refittings.We believe that new fittings are amore sensitive barometer of currentpatterns and future trends, whereasrefittings are more indicative ofprevious fitting behaviours.In keeping with other markets aroundthe world,1 the majority of lenses (62per cent) were fitted to females. Theaverage age of contact lens wearersat the time of fitting was 32.2 ± 16.5years. The age at fitting ranged fromeight to 75 years.