Contact Lens Compliance In First And Fourth Year Optometry Students.

Purpose: This research study was conducted to determine if formal education in the
subject of contact lenses improves contact lens compliance. A second goal was determine if certain behaviors such as buying contact lenses online or purchasing a full year supply have an effect on compliance. The results of this study could provide a further understanding of the patient education required to improve compliance among the contact lens wearing population.
Methods: First and fourth year optometry students, who are current contact lens wearers, were anonymously surveyed regarding their contact lens wear and care. The responses were then individually appointed a score ranging from 0-3, 0 representing the least compliant and 3 for the most compliant. A total score was calculated and then converted to a percentage out of 100% to represent their overall compliance. The average grade percentages of the first year and fourth year subjects were then compared for statistical significance
Results: Ten optometry schools chose to participate in the study and a total of 190 subjects qualified for analysis. The results of the survey yielded an overall compliance grade percentage of 70.01% for the first year subjects and 74.64% for the fourth year subjects. The difference in compliance (p= 0.700) was statistically insignificant. The significance level was set to p<0.05.
Conclusion: The study did not show a statistically significant improvement in contact lens compliance in the fourth year optometry students compared to the first year students. Further research with varying methods of analysis should be done to draw more significant conclusions.