Abstract
Purpose::
To determine the effect education about no-rub cleaning solutions has on cleaning habits of patients in conjunction with the impact mechanical rubbing has on total protein accumulation as complications from protein accumulation are known to include discomfort, infection, and poor vision.
Methods::
This two-armed, randomized, prospective study required completion of a survey of lens use/patient education history and a second arm requiring use of no-rub solution (including: Alcon OptiFree Express No-Rub, Alcon OptiFree Replenish No-Rub, Bausch & Lomb Renu No-Rub, AMO Complete Moisture Plus No-Rub) for a 2 or 4 week duration of wear. Subject were randomized to daily lens cleaning with mechanical rubbing with one lens, the contralateral served as a control. Total protein extraction and analysis using bicinchoninic acid analysis is ongoing.
Results::
To date 24 subjects have been enrolled, 6 males and 18 females, aged 23-37 years and average age 25.4 years. An ophthalmologist or optometrist provided lens care education verbally (15 patients), with demonstration (10), written (4), through direct observation of the patient (8). Five patients did not receive any form of lens care education. Mechanical lens rubbing was reported to be daily (2 patients), 4 times weekly (1), 3 times weekly (1), twice weekly (2), once weekly (2). Only 6 participants indicated they have read the manufacture’s use instructions as a means of self-education. Protein extraction analysis is pending.
Conclusions::
This study suggests lens care education is variably provided by eye care professionals, which likely contributes to sub-optimal soft contact lens hygiene and increased tear protein deposition. We anticipate adding protein quantification data from the second arm to adjunct survey results.
Keywords: contact lens • quality of life • learning