Introduction
Today, with the advancement of medicine and technology, contact lenses have become extremely sophisticated and widespread throughout the world. Undoubtedly, new technological solutions such as the silicone polymers from which these lenses are made are resistant to microbial contamination, which reduces the risk of bacterial keratitis even when compared to lenses for everyday use.
In the last year, the world has faced an unknown and dangerous pandemic—the Covid-19 pandemic. Some concerns of the public about easier infection with the virus as a result of the use of contact lenses were published and broadcast on social networks and on television. To date, there is no scientific evidence that wearing contact lenses during an epidemic is dangerous and can lead to disease.
Intensified research and experiments are currently underway to improve contact lenses, and even more impressive innovations in the field of contactology are expected in the future.
Aim
The aim of the present study is to determine the level of knowledge and awareness among patients about the possibilities for correction with contact lenses, their characteristics, innovations and use.
Materials and Methods
The present study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the Medical University of Varna on the territory of the Specialized Hospital for Ophthalmology for Active Treatment, Varna and in social networks. The study included 89 patients who were surveyed over a two-month period in 2021 (from March to May).
All participants were acquainted in detail with the questions and answered every question related to its correct completion. The survey included a total of 23 questions, of which 1 open and 22 structured questions. The survey data were summarized and analyzed by Google Analytics. For this purpose, special questionnaires for patients were developed, which contained multiple-choice questions and open-ended ones.
Results
The study involved 15 men and 74 women, aged 18 to 66 years, with 55% of the patients in the study currently wearing contact lenses (CL). The majority of patients (61.2%) strictly followed the prescription for replacement of CL, 22.4% changed them in case of irritation, and 16.3% did not follow the prescription and according to them CL could be used for a longer period of time.
For 50% of the participants, the maintenance of the CL was difficult, 33.9% sometimes encountered difficulties, and 16.1% considered it difficult.
It turned out that 68.3% of the participants in the study did not think that infection with Covid-19 was easier because of the use of CL, 28.6% were not familiar with the topic, 3.2% were of the opinion that it was easier to get infected.
Through various and numerous studies, it has been proven that CL use is wide, patients remain satisfied, but are not yet fully aware of their characteristics, maintenance, wearing mode, innovation, novelty and the risk of complications that can occur with improper maintenance.
In order to avoid complicated consequences from the use of CL, some steps should be taken in the education and more active informing of the specialist and the patient.
Conclusion
The analysis of the results of the survey revealed a low level of awareness of patients about the benefits of correction with CL. It has been found that most patients consult specialists before starting to use CL, but there are those who make the decision themselves and do so only by researching the Internet. It has been shown that the majority of respondents are aware that complications from the use of CL are possible and that there are concerns among patients of easier infection with Covid-19 when using CL.
Health will continue to be paramount for ophthalmologists in the development of CL manufacturing technologies. Therefore, it is reasonable to refer patients to one-day and one-month CL. Millions of people around the world trust CL every day without worrying about their eyesight and appearance.
The benefits of CL for patients and for the practice of the specialty are many, so the development of production technology will continue in the future.
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