Profile, knowledge, and attitude of contact lens users regarding contact lens wear in Ghana.

Background: Contact lenses are gaining popularity in developing countries as an alternative to spectacles for the correction of refractive errors. It is needful, therefore, to generate information to guide the mode of practice, and assist the industry in developing products for the increasing contact-lenses-user population. The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic profile, as well as the knowledge, attitude to wear and care regimen of wearers of contact lenses in Ghana.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, case folders of 87 users of contact lenses were selected from the database eye contact lenses practices. The folders were reviewed for the demographic profile, type, and purpose for which the contact lenses were prescribed. Forty-two (42) contact lenses users were then randomly surveyed, using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information on their knowledge, lens wear regimen, and attitudes regarding lens hygiene. Chi-square test was used to test associations between demographics and lens wear variables.

Results: Out of the 87 cases reviewed, 46 (52.9%) were females and 41 (47.1%) males. Their ages ranged from 15 to 68 years with a mean age of 28.62 ± 9.38 years. The majority- 65 (75%) - were youthful (≤ 40 years), with the highest proportion of them - 46 (53%) - being between 20-29 years. The majority - 60 (68.9%) - had a tertiary level of education. Soft contact lenses were commonly worn by 68 (78.2%) users while 19 (21.8%) wore rigid gas permeable lenses. The purpose for wearing contact lenses included for vision correction - 46 (52.9%), followed by for cosmesis - 23 (26.4%) - and therapeutic reasons -18 (20.7%). The commonest refractive error corrected was myopia - 38 (43.7%), followed by astigmatism -19 (21.8%) and hyperopia 6 (6.9%). Among the 42 users who responded to the questionnaire, by proportion, the majority -17 users (40.5%) - were introduced to contact lenses by optometrists. All respondents reported previous symptoms associated with the use of their contact lenses, but slightly more than half, 25 (57.1%) did yearly follow-up visits.

Conclusion: The majority of contact lenses used in Ghana are soft lenses, for the purpose of vision correction. The use of contact lenses was common among individuals in their early adulthood and those with tertiary education.