Experience and training as determinants of grading reliability when assessing the severity of contact lens complications.

Purpose: A study was conducted to investigate the influence of experience and training on grading reliability when assessing the severity of contact lens complications.

Methods: Twenty-three optometry students who were unfamiliar with the use of grading scales each used the Efron Grading Tutor computer program to ascertain grading reliability at an 'initial' experimental session and a 'final' session 3 weeks later. Twelve subjects (the 'trained' group) were given a tutorial on grading techniques and were asked to complete two grading exercises between the initial and final sessions.