Self-assessment of Knowledge vs. Real Reactions in Simulated Emergency Situations among Contact Lens Wearers in Switzerland

Abstract

Background If used properly, contact lenses (CLs) provide a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses for refractive error correction. However, often due to patient noncompliance, CL-related complications may occur, such as discomfort, dry eye, as well as serious conditions like infectious keratitis. Our study aimed to assess the perceived knowledge and behavior of CL wearers in Switzerland regarding the handling of CLs and associated ocular health risks.

Methods This investigator-initiated, cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in Switzerland from August 2023 to August 2024. After verbal consent, CL wearers were interviewed using a structured survey. The questionnaire explored participantsʼ demographics, their perceived knowledge of the overall handling of CLs and associated health risks, as well as their behavior in two emergency scenarios involving monocular redness or pain. The descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). Figures were created with Prism version 10.2.3 (GraphPad Software, San Francisco, CA, USA).

Results A total of 172 participants with a median (IQR [range]) age of 39 (27 to 54 [10 to 82]) years were interviewed, whereby 81 (47.1%) were female. Myopia (61.0%) and keratoconus (30.2%) were the most reported indications for CL use. In terms of overall CL handling, 91.3% of participants felt well or sufficiently informed, whereas this was the case of 66.3% regarding CL-related health risks. In the scenario involving eye redness during CL use, 135 of 175 (77.1%) responses did not mention seeking professional advice, while 25 (14.3%) indicated visiting an ophthalmologist within 1 day of symptom onset. In the event of monocular pain, 67 of 179 (37.4%) responses did not consider seeking professional care, whereas 86 (48.0%) included consulting an ophthalmologist.

Conclusion This study provides insight into the unmet educational need of CL wearers, especially regarding CL-related complications. Participants generally felt better informed about overall CL handling than about the potential health risks. This information discrepancy is reflected by their responses to scenarios involving monocular redness or pain, where a considerable number of participants failed to react adequately. Further studies are warranted to explore effective, practical strategies for improving patient awareness and behavior.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Bei richtiger Anwendung bieten Kontaktlinsen (KL) eine sichere und effektive Alternative zu Brillen für die Korrektur von Fehlsichtigkeiten. Aufgrund mangelnder Patienten-Compliance treten jedoch häufig KL-bezogene Komplikationen auf, wie z. B. Diskomfort, trockene Augen oder ernsthafte Erkrankungen wie infektiöse Keratitis. Diese Studie hatte zum Ziel, das subjektive Wissen und Verhalten von KL-Trägern in der Schweiz bez. des Umgangs mit KL und der damit verbundenen Gesundheitsrisiken zu erfassen.

Methoden Diese von den Autoren initiierte, qualitative, multizentrische Querschnittsstudie wurde in der Schweiz von August 2023 bis August 2024 durchgeführt. Nach mündlicher Einwilligung wurden KL-Träger mittels einer strukturierten Umfrage befragt. Der Fragebogen erfasste demografische Daten, das subjektive Wissen über den Umgang mit KL und ihre Gesundheitsrisiken sowie das Verhalten in 2 simulierten Notfallszenarien mit einseitiger Augenrötung oder -schmerzen. Die deskriptive statistische Analyse erfolgte mit Microsoft Excel, die Grafiken wurden mit Prism Version 10.2.3 erstellt.

Ergebnisse 172 Teilnehmer mit einem Medianalter (Interquartilsabstand [Abstand]) von 39 (27 – 54 [10 – 82]) Jahren wurden befragt, 81 (47,1%) davon waren weiblich. Kurzsichtigkeit (61,0%) und Keratokonus (30,2%) waren die häufigsten Indikationen für KL. Beim Umgang mit KL fühlten sich 91,3% der Studienteilnehmer gut oder ausreichend informiert, bei den Gesundheitsrisiken 66,3%. Bei Augenrötung während der KL-Nutzung erwähnten 135 von 175 (77,1%) Antworten nicht die Suche nach professionellem Rat, während 25 (14,3%) angaben, einen Augenarzt innerhalb eines Tages aufzusuchen. Bei einseitigen Schmerzen gaben 67 von 179 (37,4%) Antworten an, kein Fachpersonal zu besuchen, während 86 (48,0%) den Augenarzt bevorzugten.

Schlussfolgerung Diese Studie gibt Einblick in den Aufklärungsbedarf von KL-Trägern, insbesondere bei KL-assoziierten Komplikationen. Die Teilnehmer fühlten sich besser über den allgemeinen Umgang mit KL informiert als über die potenziellen Gesundheitsrisiken, was sich in ihrer ungenügenden Reaktion auf Notfallszenarien mit einseitiger Augenrötung oder -schmerzen widerspiegelt. Weitere Studien sind nötig, um Strategien zur Verbesserung der Patientenaufklärung sowie des Verhaltens zu entwickeln.

Keywords

contact lenses - questionnaire - infectious keratitis - patient behavior - patient education

Schlüsselwörter

Kontaktlinsen - Fragebogen - infektiöse Keratitis - Patientenverhalten - Patientenaufklärung

Publication History

Received: 27 October 2024

Accepted: 25 November 2024

Article published online:
27 February 2025

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