Profile of contact lens patients attending to Biratnagar eye hospital, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Contact lens is an artificial device whose front surface substitutes the anterior surface of the cornea. The contact lens can be worn to correct vision or for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. The objective of the study was to determine the profile of contact lens patients attending Biratnagar Eye Hospital, Nepal.

Methods: The hospital-based cross-sectional study was done. All the patients referred to the contact lens clinic of Biratnagar Eye Hospital, Nepal for a contact lens trial were included in this study between 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2019. Data were collected by an optometrist trained in contact lens care and descriptive analysis was performed by using SPSS -17 versions.

Results: The mean age (±SD) of the patient was 22.9 (±9.6). Most of them were male 178 (55%) and from India 234 (72%). The majority of patients were in the age between 19 to 40 years 194 (60%). Keratoconus 253 (39%) was the most common ocular disorder found followed by myopia 138 (21%) and astigmatism 56 (9%). Most of the eyes had high refractive errors 287 (44%). Contact lens trial was done in 535 (82%) eyes and it was used for optical correction in 455 (70%) eyes. Rigid Gas Permeable 271 (51%) contact lens was mostly tried followed by soft contact lens 194 (36%). After using a contact lens, 548 (84%) eyes got normal visual acuity.

Conclusions: Keratoconus was the most common ocular disorder found followed by myopia and Astigmatism. Rigid Gas Permeable contact lens was mostly prescribed for vision correction. There was a significant improvement in visual acuity after giving contact lenses.