Compliance to contact lens wear and care among Jordanian adults

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate compliance to contact lens (CL) wear and care routines among adults in Jordan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire administered by an interviewer was conducted among adults in Jordan between the months of May and July of the year 2022. PARTICIPANTS: Adult (≥ 18 years) contact lens wearers attending work establishments, universities and shopping centers in the cities of Amman, Aqaba and Irbid in Jordan. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Compliance to CL wear and care in addition to CL hygiene habits were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 834 (600 women) participants were included in the study with an age range of 18 to 55 years (average; 25.49 ± 7.75). Soft spherical CLs for myopia correction were worn by 45.6% of the sample, followed by cosmetic CLs (CCL) (43%). Highest compliance rate (99%) was calculated for not sharing CL with others and the lowest rate (24%) was for cleaning the CL case, with an average compliance rate of 72.25% for the sample with all habits surveyed. Medium compliance rates were related to following instructions of CL solution use including avoiding using expired solution or avoiding topping off. Risk factors for non-compliant behaviors included CCL wear, purchasing CL from beauty centers and being 25 years of age or younger. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study which was performed in a non-clinical setting showed that women and young adults comprise the majority of CL wearers in Jordan. Participants were compliant with most CL wear and care behaviors except for cleaning the CL case and attending aftercare visits. Many CL wearers also reported purchasing lenses from beauty centers and online without consulting CL practitioners. There is a need for patient education regarding the hygiene of the CL case, and the necessity for consulting the CL practitioner for the appropriate type of CL including proper wear and care regimen.