Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Contact Lens Usage Patterns in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71395/ijhp.2.2.2025.4Abstract
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the daily life routine with a reduction in social activities due to lockdown. It has affected the use of contact lenses. The study aimed at evaluating the pattern of contact lens wear and possible explanations for contact lens discontinuation during pandemic in our population.
METHODOLOGY: After taking written informed consent a self-designed printed/online questionnaire was
given to study participants. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version V.25 software. Frequencies and percentages are given for categorical variables. The continuous data is summarized in the form of mean ±standard deviation or median (IQR) depending upon the distribution. The distribution of data was assessed by Shap- iro-Wilk’s statistics. To establish relationship between categorical variables Pearson’s Chi-square test was applied.
RESULTS: Our study concludes that the individuals had increased the hygiene and replacement schedules for lenses. Almost half of the study subject discontinued contact lens wear during COVID-19 pandemic. The most frequent cause of discontinuation of contact lens wear was social isolation.
CONCLUSION: There is recommendation for contact lens wearers to maintain their contact lens case replace- ment and cleaning habit. If the wearer is feeling sick because of coronavirus, then they should temporary discon- tinued their lenses and after recovery resume wearing their lenses but the new ones.
KEYWORDS: Contact lens, COVID-19 impact, Discontinuation, Pattern of CL wear, Contact lens hygiene. CL care, behavior toward CL wear and care
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