News Briefs Archive

New Survey: Compliance in Contact Lens Replacement Linked to Frequency of Eye Examination

ADVERTORIAL

Alcon, the global leader in eyecare, announced new data presented at the 91st Annual American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Meeting in Phoenix on compliance with lens replacement and the interval between eye examinations (IEE).1 These new data are part of a large survey conducted to understand the relationship between compliance and replacement frequency as well as the interval between eye examinations, lens purchase patterns and general compliance with lens wear and care.

According to the study conducted in 141 eyecare practitioner (ECP) offices across the US: Compliant wearers return more frequently for eye exams. The mean IEE was 16 months (median 14 months), and was shorter for wearers who were compliant with the manufacturer’s recommended lens replacement frequency (MRRF) (14.5 months vs. 17.4 months; p<0.001)1. Wearers who purchased an annual supply of lenses were more compliant with MRRF than those who were not compliant (55 percent vs. 45 percent; p<0.001)1. Wearers of two-week replacement lenses were significantly less compliant with the MRRF than wearers of both daily disposable and monthly replacement lenses (both p<0.001)1.

“These data show there is a relationship between compliance with MRRF and the frequency of eye examinations,” says Richard E. Weisbarth, OD, FAAO, vice-president, Professional Affairs, Alcon. “Encouraging wearers to purchase annual supplies and to replace lenses as recommended may lead to a shorter interval between eye examinations.”

Previously published data show that compliance is an issue for many patients.2-4 In a study of more than 500 two-week and one-month replacement silicone hydrogel lens wearers, only one practice (out of seven) had a greater than 50 percent compliance with Optometrist-Recommended Replacement Frequency.5 Another study highlighted the number one reason for replacement non-compliance to be that the wearer forgot which day the lens was due to be replaced.6
The study presented during AAO in Phoenix is the fourth–and largest–survey sponsored by Alcon designed to continue to enhance understanding of the reasons behind non-compliance and factors that may positively influence the lens-wearing experience, including compliance and office visits.

About the Study
ECPs and contact lens wearers independently completed linked questionnaires evaluating their contact lens wear and care from September 2011 to November 2011. In addition to general demographics, information was also collected on the IEE and wearers’ contact lens purchase patterns. Participants were required to be current wearers of daily disposable lenses or re-usable silicone hydrogel lenses with a MRFF of two weeks or one month. After study completion, 2,147 linked questionnaires from 141 offices were eligible for analysis. The breakdown of lens type was as follows: nine percent of patients wore daily disposable, 37 percent wore monthly replacement lenses and 54 percent wore two-week replacement lenses.

About Alcon
Alcon, the global leader in eyecare, provides innovative products that enhance quality of life by helping people worldwide see better. The three Alcon businesses–Surgical, Pharmaceutical and Vision Care–offer the widest spectrum of eyecare products in the world. Alcon is the second largest division of the Novartis Group with pro-forma sales of USD 10 billion in 2011. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Alcon has 24,000 employees worldwide, operations in 75 countries and products available in 180 markets. For more information, visit www.alcon.com.

1. Dumbleton K, Richter D, Jones L. Compliance with lens replacement and the interval between eye examinations. Optom Vis Sci. 2012;89(E-abstract 120059).
2. Dumbleton K, Richter D, Woods C, Jones L, Fonn D. Compliance with contact lens replacement in Canada and the United States. Optom Vis Sci. Feb 2010;87(2):131-139.
3. Yeung KK, Forister JF, Forister EF, Chung MY, Han S, Weissman BA. Compliance with soft contact lens replacement schedules and associated contact lens-related ocular complications: the UCLA Contact Lens Study. Optometry. Nov 2010;81(11):598-607.
4. Jones L, Dumbleton K, Fonn D, Dillehay S. Comfort and compliance with frequent replacement soft contact lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2002;79(12S):259.
5. Dumbleton KA, Woods CA, Jones LW, Fonn D. The relationship between compliance with lens replacement and contact lens-related problems in silicone hydrogel wearers. Contact lens & anterior eye : the journal of the British Contact Lens Association. Oct 2011;34(5):216-222.
6. Dumbleton K, Woods C, Jones L, Fonn D, Sarwer DB. Patient and practitioner compliance with silicone hydrogel and daily disposable lens replacement in the United States. Eye Contact Lens. Jul 2009;35(4):164-171.

To Top
Subscribe Today for Free...
And join more than 35,000 optometric colleagues who have made Review of Optometric Business their daily business advisor.