Knowledge and practice regarding contact lens among Saudi urban contact lens users

Purpose: To assess the level and determinants of knowledge and practice regarding contact lens (CL) and its accessories among adult Saudi CL users. Methods: This survey was conducted in 2015 for Saudi contact lens users visiting a Mall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questions were related to knowledge about contact lenses, correct CL and accessories usage. We inquired indication, initial prescription, CL use, complications experienced and their management. The knowledge and practice responses were correlated to their determinants. Results: In this survey, 510 contact lens users participated. The level of knowledge was of excellent grade among 279 [54.7% (95% Confidence Interval 50.4-59)] CL users. The practice was of excellent grade in 210 [41.4% (95% CI 37.1-45.7)] CL users. Variation in knowledge was not associated to gender (P = 0.1), education (P = 0.4), type of work (P = 0.3), funding for CL (P = 0.1). Occasional users and those not having prescribed CL had significantly poor knowledge (P < 0.001). The excellent level of practice was associated to younger CL users (P = 0.004). While it was not associated to gender (P = 0.8), type of CL (P = 0.9), funding for CL (P = 0.2), education (P = 0.7) and occupation (P = 0.1). Conclusions: The knowledge and practice among CL users was less than desired. Those using contact lens for cosmetic purpose and procuring them without prescription need special focus for health promotion so that their CL related practice improve and eye complications are reduced.