Patient Experiences With Therapeutic Contact Lenses and Dry Eye Disease

Objectives: To report patient-reported experiences with dry eye disease and therapeutic contact lenses. Methods: A survey was distributed to patients with dry eye disease. Demographics, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), systemic disease, contact lens history, and burden of care information were collected. Descriptive statistics are presented and categorized by nonlens, soft lens, and scleral lens (SL) wearers. Results: Of 639 respondents, 15% (94/639) were currently using therapeutic soft or SLs (47 soft and 69 SL). Mid-day fogging or clouding of vision was reported by SL (75%, 50/67) and soft lens (62%, 29/47) wearers. Seventy-two percent of SL wearers spent more than 20 min daily on dry eye treatment while 43% of soft lens wearers spent more than 20 min. Median annual expenditure was higher for SL ($1,500, n=63) than nonlens ($500, n=371) or soft lens wearers ($700, n=43). Mean OSDI scores in all groups were in the severe category (51 +/- 22 years, n=401 nonlens wearers; mean age; 45+/-22 years, n=47 soft lens wearers; 60+/-24 years, n=69 SL wearers). Conclusions: Mid-day fogging and blurring of vision was reported by most of the individuals using therapeutic lenses for dry eye disease. SL wearers allocate the most resources for dry eye care.