Abstract
Purpose :
A common phenomenon unique to scleral lens wear is mid-day fogging. Accumulation of debris in the post-lens fluid reservoir or surface non- wetting may necessitate periodic removal of scleral lenses during the day. The SCOPE (Scleral Lenses in Current Ophthalmic Practice Evaluation) study team conducted a multi-center study to assess prevalence of mid-day fogging and associated factors.
Methods :
An online survey of eye care providers was conducted from December 13, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Scleral Lens Education Society members were invited to participate via e-mail. Links to the survey were also posted on the Scleral Lens Practitioners Facebook page and included in two online newsletters (I-Site and BCLA newsletter). Prescribers were asked to provide information about their most recently evaluated established scleral lens patient (history of ≥ 6 months of lens wear). We report the prevalence of mid-day fogging, and assess the frequency of this phenomenon in patients wearing various lens designs. Statistical analysis was completed using 2 sample t-test and Pearson chi-square test.
Results :
We received 292 responses representing 26 countries. Mean patient age was 44 ± 14 years (mean ± SD; n=285) (range 18-86 years); gender distribution was 184 male/108 female. 248 participants responded to a survey item which asked if patient reported issues with mid-day fogging (mean age 45±15, n=243, range 18-85; 158 male/90 female). Mid-day fogging was reported by 25% (n=64) of patients. Overall lens diameter was reported for 253 patients (61 foggers, 174 non-foggers). Mean lens diameter in foggers was16.5±1.1 mm; mean lens diameter in non-foggers was 16.2±1.4 mm. This difference was not significant (2 sample t-test, p=0.15). Haptic design (spherical vs. non-spherical) was reported for 220 patients (55 foggers, 165 non-foggers). The proportion of wearers with mid-day fogging when comparing lens wearers with spherical haptics (32/141) to those wearing non-spherical haptics (55/220) was not statistically significant (chi-square, p=0.292).
Conclusions :
Approximately 1 in 4 scleral lens wearers in this population reported issues with mid-day fogging. Neither lens diameter nor haptic design was associated with the prevalence of patient-reported mid-day fogging.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.