Determining the information needs of contact lens wearers for better education and more support: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background Designing educational interventions tailored to the needs of Contact Lens Wearers (CLWs) are important and necessary. The present study aimed to determine the information needs of CLWs to educate and provide information to them to increase their knowledge and reduce complications and non-compliance behaviors. Methods A qualitative approach was applied and semi-structured interviews were conducted in three contact lenses (CL) clinics in Iran among all their practitioners and 24 purposively selected patients. Data were analyzed using the Lundman and Graneheim conventional content analysis. Results The qualitative analysis revealed knowledge and skill themes as two main categories. The knowledge category includes five subcategories of basic information for the CLWs, acquaintance with the CL, caring for CL, hygiene and vigilance of CL, and challenges of using CL. The skill category consists of two subcategories, including handling/insertion and removal of the CL, and stabilization of learned information. Moreover, 36 sub-subcategories emerged from these seven subcategories that reflected the information needs of CLWs. Conclusions A clear understanding of CLWs’ information needs can help to design and develop appropriate educational approaches to overcome training barriers such as physicians’ time constraints and high workload. Moreover, it can help deal with CLWs’ insufficient knowledge and provide the required information simply and practically with the possibility of enough repetition.

Identifying the content, functionalities, and features of a mobile application for contact lens wearers

“…Our study findings showed that the CL wearers need to have knowledge regarding different aspects of the CL such as CL use and care, CL training regarding application and removal, rinsing and disinfecting of CLs, brands and certified sale center to perform CL care, and information to prevent complications, and preferred to develop the mobile application content based on the reported information needs. In agreement with our findings, various studies have determined that CL wearers have different information needs [ 16 ] and limited knowledge related to using and caring for CLs, potential complications of CLs, cleaning of CLs and cases, and hand hygiene [ 10 , 15 , 24 , 25 ]. In line with our findings, several studies suggested the need for the development of training strategies and also providing enough information and theoretical and practical education for CL wearers to be knowledgeable about all aspects of the CL use and care [ 1 , 2 , 10 , 14 , 18 , 25 – 28 ].…”

“…Moreover, the high workload of practitioners may hinder them from consistently providing adequate CL care and compliance information [ 8 , 12 , 13 ]. This is highlighted by some previous studies that have shown that CL wearers have little knowledge related to CL care and compliance [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 14 , 15 ] and have various information needs in this field [ 16 ]. These researchers furthermore emphasized the need to move away from conventional teaching practices and toward new educational strategies that involve modern technology [ 5 , 17 – 19 ].…”

“…To our knowledge, the field currently lacks a scientifically designed mobile application for CL wearers to help them to improve their self-care through appropriate and tailored interventions. Therefore, as part of the UCD process, information needs of CL wearers were determined in a previous study [ 16 ] and the present study qualitatively identified the requirements that should be considered when creating a mobile application for CL wearers to provide information and services tailored to their expectations.…”

Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study

“…While the use of CLs for fashion purpose among young people in this review is high, there is a tendency for increased ocular complications in this age group due to poor compliance [9]. There is need for targeted CL education either in form of booklet or media campaign to encourage proper lens hygiene and improve compliance [27].…”

Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study

“…While the use of CLs for fashion purpose among young people in this review is high, there is a tendency for increased ocular complications in this age group due to poor compliance [9]. There is need for targeted contact lens education either in form of booklet or media campaign to encourage proper lens hygiene and improve compliance [20].…”