by Joel Harrison
23. September 2011 11:48
In his recent article published in Contact Lenses Today, Ronald K. Watanabe, OD, FAAO, deals with the issue of stopping contact lenses wear. He cites a report created by the CLAY (Contact Lens Assessment in Youth) study group concerning the rates of interruption of lens wear in the 8-33 age group. The report states that patients stopped wearing contact lenses mostly because of infections, cases of inflammation, mechanical problems and allergies. On the whole, however, the number of adverse events was low.
What is interesting, the 8-13 age group was characterised by the lowest rate of visits related to adverse events and the one with the highest rate was the 20-22 group. Older patients, the report claims, were less prone to adverse events.
As far as the types of contact lenses are concerned, daily disposable ones were associated with the lowest risk of adverse events. The risk was significantly increased when contact lenses were worn overnight. Contrary to expectations, silicone hydrogel lenses caused more adverse events that traditional silicone lenses.
Dr Watanabe comments on the data, writing that they show the benefits of frequent replacement of contact lenses. In addition, the expert points out that there is still a need to educate patients and teach young contact lens wearers to follow doctors’ instructions.
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