Effects of Contact Lens Wearing Habits on Ocular Surface and Microbial Flora
Selçuk Tıp Dergisi, vol.39, no.2, pp.57-61, 2023 (TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 39 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2023
- Doi Number: 10.30733/std.2023.01580
- Journal Name: Selçuk Tıp Dergisi
- Journal Indexes: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.57-61
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Aim: To question contact lens wearing habits, compliance with care recommendations and hygiene habits and to examine their effects on ocular surface and microbial contamination. Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, Between 2021-2022, 108 soft contact lens wearers under our follow-up who applied to our contact lens department were asked about their risky contact lens- wearing habits. The last used contact lenses of the patients were sent to the laboratory for microbiological study together with their containers. Ocular surface staining, tear break-up time and ocular surface disease index scoring were used for ocular surface analysis. The relationship between microbial contamination and ocular surface analysis with contact lens wearing habits was analyzed. Results: Only 6.4% of contact lens wearers who applied to our clinic reported that they followed all contact lens wear recommendations. While there was at least one growth in cultures in 72 (66.7%) of the users, the number of users with ocular surface disorders was 60 (55.6%). While sleeping with a contact lens (p=0.003) and wearing the lens longer than the specified time (p=0.016) increases ocular surface problems; non-compliance with hand hygiene (p ≤0.001), using the lens container and solution for longer than recommended (p=0.038), and using tap water instead of solution (p=0.001) have been shown to increase microbiological contamination. Conclusion: This and previous studies have shown that risky contact lens wearing habits are an important problem that increases ocular surface-tear film disorders and microbial contamination. With the increasing use of contact lenses in the community, high-risk lens use rates may lead to serious ocular pathologies.