Factors for Contact Lens Usage and Their Impact on User s Attitude and Its Antecedents a Study of the National Capital

Abstract

newlineGlobally, more than 2.3billion people suffer from refractive error and have blurry vision in their eyes. Like other methods of vision correction contact lenses (CLs) are also one of the effective methods of correcting the refractive error (RE) of the patients eyes. Along with correcting RE contact lenses have other medical and non-medical advantages over other methods of vision correction as well. Even after several benefits over other methods of vision correction such as spectacles and surgery, contact lenses are not a preferred choice among patients. Still, spectacles are the first choice of the patients for correcting refractive errors of their eyes. In India, the number of contact lens users is even lesser than in its neighboring countries. To look for the factors that have a role in constructing patients perception and attitude towards CLs and have an influence on their overall decision making of using contact lenses has been a topic with cursory information. Previous studies have found these factors in bits and pieces. Most of the known factors are either from the eye care practitioners (ECPs) perspective or based on researchers own judgments. Studies have been conducted in the past to record the opinions of the eye care practitioners to find out the factors that influence on the patients decision of using CLs. The present study aims to reveal the factors that have an impact on patients decision of using contact lenses and their influence on patients perception and attitude towards contact lenses. To have a complete understanding of the scenario, the present study also aims to identify the contact lens knowledge and usage levels of patients and evaluates the perception of ECPs about their patients with a perception of patients in terms of contact lenses.