Characterizing contact lens-related dryness symptoms in a cross-section of UK soft lens wearers

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with contact lens-related dryness symptoms in a large population of soft contact lens patients in the UK.MethodsSoft contact lens (CL) wearers (n = 932) from 12 UK clinical sites were queried regarding CL history and wearing experience by a self-administered questionnaire. A new score using Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ) items was used where CL-related dry eye (CL-DE) = frequency of ‘sometimes’, ‘frequently’, or ‘constantly’ plus intensity 3–5; NoCL-DE = frequency of ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ and intensity 0–1; Marginal CL-DE, all other categories. Data were analyzed across categories, P-values <0.05 significant.ResultsThe prevalence of CL-DE was: CL-DE = 31%, Marginal CL-DE = 13% and NoCL-DE = 56%. Wearers with CL-DE had significantly lower typical comfort (CL-DE = 7.0 ± 1.9; Marginal = 7.6 ± 1.9; NoCL-Dry = 8.7 ± 1.8, P < 0.001), end-of-day comfort (CL-DE = 4.9 ± 2.5; Marginal = 6.1 ± 2.0; NoCL-DE = 7.8 ± 2.1, P < 0.001) and shorter comfortable wearing times in hours (CL-DE = 9.1 ± 4.4; Marginal = 9.8 ± 3.6; NoCL-DE = 12.4 ± 5.1, P < 0.001). Positive CL-DE status was significantly more likely among toric lens wearers (n = 129) compared to spherical lens wearers (43% vs. 30%, P = 0.04). Lens material class, lens care system and gender were not significantly related to CL-DE status. Of the CL-DE group, only 38% had been diagnosed with dry eye and 47% self-assessed as dry eye. Use of artificial tears, CLs for dryness, ointments/gels and warm compresses differed between groups according to CL-DE status (P < 0.001, all comparisons).ConclusionsThe survey provided useful data regarding the current status symptoms among UK soft CL wearers. The CL-DE score predicted patients’ wearing experience; poorer comfort, shorter comfortable wearing time and increased use of treatments.