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      Water Exposure is a Common Risk Behavior Among Soft and Gas-Permeable Contact Lens Wearers

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          Abstract

          Purpose:

          To understand soft contact lens (SCL) and gas-permeable (GP) lens wearers' behaviors and knowledge regarding exposure of lenses to water.

          Methods:

          The Contact Lens Risk Survey (CLRS) and health behavior questions were completed online by a convenience sample of 1056 SCL and 85 GP lens wearers aged 20 to 76 years. Participants were asked about exposing their lenses to water and their understanding of risks associated with these behaviors. Chi-square analyses examined relationships between patient behaviors and perceptions.

          Results:

          GP lens wearers were more likely than SCL wearers to ever rinse or store lenses in water (rinsing: 91% GP, 31% SCL, P < 0.001; storing: 33% GP, 15% SCL P < 0.001). Among SCL wearers, men were more likely to store (24% vs. 13%, P = 0.003) or rinse (41% vs. 29%, P = 0.012) their lenses in water. Showering while wearing lenses was more common in SCL wearers (86%) than GP lens wearers (67%) ( P < 0.0001). Swimming while wearing lenses was reported by 62% of SCL wearers and 48% of GP lens wearers ( P = 0.027). Wearers who rinsed (SCL; P < 0.0001, GP; P = 0.11) or stored lenses in water (SCL; P < 0.0001, GP P = 0.007) reported that this behavior had little or no effect on their infection risk, compared with those who did not. Both SCL ( P < 0.0001) and GP lens wearers ( P < 0.0001) perceived that distilled water was safer than tap water for storing or rinsing lenses.

          Conclusions:

          Despite previously published evidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis' association with water exposure, most SCL, and nearly all GP lens wearers, regularly expose their lenses to water, with many unaware of the risk.

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          Most cited references40

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          The incidence of contact lens-related microbial keratitis in Australia.

          To establish the absolute risk of contact lens (CL)-related microbial keratitis, the incidence of vision loss and risk factors for disease. A prospective, 12-month, population-based surveillance study. New cases of CL-related microbial keratitis presenting in Australia over a 12-month period were identified through surveillance of all ophthalmic practitioners (numerator). Case detection was augmented by records' audits at major ophthalmic centers. The denominator (number of wearers of different CL types in the community) was established using a national telephone survey of 35,914 individuals. Cases and controls were interviewed by telephone to determine subject demographics and CL wear history. Visual outcomes were determined 6 months after the initial event. Annualized incidence and confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for different severities of disease and multivariable analysis was used in risk factor analysis. Annualized incidence (with CI) of disease and vision loss by CL type and wear modality and identification of independent risk factors. We identified 285 eligible cases of CL-related microbial keratitis and 1798 controls. In daily wear rigid gas-permeable CL wearers, the annualized incidence per 10,000 wearers was 1.2 (CI, 1.1-1.5); in daily wear soft CL wearers 1.9 (CI, 1.8-2.0); soft CL wearers (occasional overnight use) 2.2 (CI, 2.0-2.5); daily disposable CL wearers 2.0 (CI, 1.7-2.4); daily disposable CL wearers (occasional overnight use) 4.2 (CI, 3.1-6.6); daily wear silicone hydrogel CL wearers 11.9 (CI, 10.0-14.6); silicone hydrogel CL wearers (occasional overnight use) 5.5 (CI, 4.5-7.2); overnight wear soft CL wearers 19.5 (CI, 14.6-29.5) and in overnight wear of silicone hydrogel 25.4 (CI, 21.2-31.5). Loss of vision occurred in 0.6 per 10,000 wearers. Risk factors included overnight use, poor storage case hygiene, smoking, Internet purchase of CLs, <6 months wear experience, and higher socioeconomic class. Incidence estimates for soft CL use were similar to those previously reported. New lens types have not reduced the incidence of disease. Overnight use of any CL is associated with a higher risk than daily use.
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            The risk of microbial keratitis with overnight corneal reshaping lenses.

            To estimate the incidence of microbial keratitis (MK) associated with overnight corneal reshaping contact lenses and to compare rates in children and adults.
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              Contact Lens Wearer Demographics and Risk Behaviors for Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections — United States, 2014

              Contact lenses provide safe and effective vision correction for many Americans. However, contact lens wearers risk infection if they fail to wear, clean, disinfect, and store their contact lenses as directed. Over the past decade, CDC has investigated several multistate outbreaks of serious eye infections among contact lens wearers, including Acanthamoeba keratitis (1). Each investigation identified frequent contact lens hygiene-related risk behaviors among patients. To guide prevention efforts, a population-based survey was used to estimate the number of contact lens wearers aged ≥18 years in the United States. A separate online survey of contact lens wearers assessed the prevalence of contact lens hygiene-related risk behaviors. Approximately 99% of wearers reported at least one contact lens hygiene risk behavior. Nearly one third of contact lens wearers reported having experienced a previous contact lens-related red or painful eye requiring a doctor’s visit. An estimated 40.9 million U.S. adults wear contact lenses, and many could be at risk for serious eye infections because of poor contact lens wear and care behaviors. These findings have informed the creation of targeted prevention messages aimed at contact lens wearers such as keeping all water away from contact lenses, discarding used disinfecting solution from the case and cleaning with fresh solution each day, and replacing their contact lens case every 3 months. Nearly one million U.S. health care visits for keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) or contact lens complications occur annually, at a cost of $175 million (2). The largest single risk factor for microbial keratitis is contact lens wear (3). Quantifying the number of contact lens wearers at risk for serious eye infections is important for future prevention efforts, but requires a population-based estimate of the number of contact lens wearers in the United States. To estimate the size of the population at risk for contact lens-related complications in the United States and describe its demographics, the Porter Novelli 2014 summer ConsumerStyles survey, an online survey of 4,269 respondents, was used.* Participants in the ConsumerStyles survey were part of market research firm GfK’s Knowledge Panel. Panel members are recruited using address-based probability sampling methods and are provided with internet access and a computer if needed. ConsumerStyles survey participants receive entry into a monthly sweepstakes with a prize usually worth <$500. Statistical weighting was used to make the panel representative of the U.S. population on age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, household income, household size, census region, metropolitan status, and internet access before joining the panel. Respondents were asked demographic questions and what type of contact lenses they wore. To describe the prevalence of contact lens hygiene-related risk behaviors, an adapted version of the Contact Lens Risk Survey, a previously validated survey,† was administered to a convenience sample of online, contact lens-wearing panelists to describe the prevalence of usual contact lens hygiene-related risk behaviors. Participants were members of market research firm Schlesinger Associates’ research panel and wore contact lenses. Panel members are recruited in-person or via internet advertising, email campaigns, or telephone calls. Questions about usual contact lens-related behaviors included the following responses regarding the usual frequency of the behavior: always, fairly often, sometimes, infrequently, or never. For this report, questions with these responses were coded as “ever” if the response was not “never.” Using the population-based survey, an estimated 40.9 million persons in the United States aged ≥18 years wear contact lenses (16.7% of U.S. adults)§; 93.0% of contact lens wearers reported wearing soft contact lenses (lenses made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea). Overall, contact lens wearers were younger, female, more educated, and of white, non-Hispanic race/ethnicity when compared with non-contact lens wearers (Table 1). No significant geographic differences between contact lens wearers and non-contact lens wearers were found. Among subtypes of contact lens wearers, rigid contact lens (lenses made of more durable materials resistant to deposit buildup) wearers did not differ significantly in age from non-contact lens wearers, although wearers of soft, daily disposable (lenses worn once and discarded) and overnight contact lens (lenses prescribed for wear while sleeping) were significantly younger. Approximately 1,000 contact lens wearers completed the Contact Lens Risk Survey. Respondents were mostly female (82%) and aged ≥40 years (62%). Approximately 99% of respondents reported at least one contact lens hygiene behavior previously associated with an increased risk for eye infection or inflammation (Table 2). Half or more of wearers reported ever sleeping overnight in contact lenses (50.2%), ever napping in contact lenses (87.1%), ever topping off disinfecting solution (adding new solution to existing solution in the contact lens case instead of emptying and cleaning the case before adding new solution, 55.1%), extending the recommended replacement frequency of lenses (49.9%) or cases (82.3%), and ever showering (84.9%) or swimming (61.0%) in contact lenses. Approximately one third (35.5%) of contact lens wearers reported ever rinsing their lenses in tap water and 16.8% reported ever storing their lenses in tap water. Almost all rigid wearers (91.3%) reported ever rinsing their lenses in water, and 33.3% reported ever storing their lenses in tap water. Nearly one third of all wearers reported ever having experienced a contact lens-related red or painful eye that required a doctor’s visit. Discussion An estimated one in six adults in the United States wears contact lenses, and one third of them report at least one health care visit for a red or painful eye while wearing lenses. Approximately 99% of contact lens wearers reported at least one risk behavior ever for eye infections or inflammation. Of particular concern, contact lens wearers of all types frequently reported exposure of their contact lenses to water, including storing or rinsing their lenses in tap water and showering or swimming while wearing lenses. Exposure of lenses to water raises the risk for infection because microorganisms living in water can be transferred to the eye. Even household tap water, although treated to be safe for drinking, is not sterile and contains microorganisms that can contaminate lens cases and contact lenses and cause eye infections. Sleeping in contact lenses was a frequently reported behavior. Although many soft and some rigid contact lenses have U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications for overnight wear, sleeping in any type of contact lens increases risk for eye infection, although the precise mechanism is not known (4). Noncompliance with recommended lens and case replacement schedules was also commonly reported. Infrequent replacement of contact lens cases has been linked to serious eye infections (5). Additionally, contact lens wearers who do not follow recommended contact lens replacement schedules have more complications and eye discomfort (6). These behaviors raise the risk for eye infections because repeated handling of the lens and case provides opportunities for introduction of microorganisms, while the moist surface of the lens and case provide an environment conducive to microbial growth. This risk is compounded if wearers top off solution in the case, as a majority of surveyed contact lens wearers reported having done at least once. Topping off also decreases the effectiveness of contact lens disinfection (7). Daily disposable contact lens wearers might have a lower risk for infection if contact lenses are disposed of daily as recommended. Although 40% of daily disposable contact lens wearers did not use a case, thereby avoiding potential contamination associated with the case, a large proportion of daily disposable contact lens wearers did use a case and did so improperly, using tap water to store their lenses. The number of contact lens wearers in the United States presented here is higher than previous estimates. Another study estimated 38 million contact lens wearers, although the data collection methods were not described (8). A more recent study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and estimated that 18.6 million persons aged ≥12 years wore contact lenses (9). However, the NHANES protocol used a more restrictive contact lens wearer definition¶ and might have underestimated the total number of contact lens wearers in the United States. The demographic patterns observed in the population used for the estimate reported here were similar to the NHANES population; however, the estimate reported here, based on self-reported contact lens use, is a more inclusive estimate. Contact lens wearers are younger on average than non-contact lens wearers. Teens and college age persons (those aged 15–25 years) have been associated with lower contact lens compliance and with higher risk for corneal inflammatory events, a category of eye problems that includes serious eye infections (10). The findings in this report are subject to at least two limitations. First, the estimated number of contact lens wearers in the United States reported here does not include those aged <18 years. Since younger age is a predictor of more frequent complications, the current estimate does not include some contact lens wearers who might be most at risk for complications. Second, the Contact Lens Risk Survey used a convenience sample and respondents were more likely to be older and female than the general contact lens-wearing population. Because risk factors have been shown to vary by age, the survey might have underestimated the prevalence of contact lens risk behaviors. Summary What is already known on this topic? Contact lenses are a safe and effective form of vision correction for the millions of Americans who require it, if worn and cared for as directed. Poor contact lens hygiene behaviors such as exposing contact lenses to water and topping off storage cases with disinfection solution put contact lens wearers at risk for eye infections. What is added by this report? In 2014, there were an estimated 40.9 million contact lens wearers aged ≥18 years in the United States. Approximately 99% of contact lens wearers completing the Contact Lens Risk Survey in 2014 reported at least one contact lens hygiene behavior ever that could put them at risk for an eye infection. One third of contact lens wearers reported ever experiencing a red or painful eye that required a doctor’s visit. What are the implications for public health practice? Prevention efforts could include vigorous health promotion activities that encourage contact lens wearers to improve their hygiene behaviors, such as keeping all water away from contact lenses, discarding used disinfecting solution from the case and cleaning with fresh solution each day, and replacing their contact lens case every 3 months. Tens of millions of U.S. adults enjoy the benefits of contact lens wear, but many of them might be increasing their risk for complications because of poor wear and care behaviors. Improved estimates of the extent of contact lens-associated disease and increased surveillance capacity for microbial keratitis are needed. Prevention efforts could include vigorous health promotion activities that encourage contact lens wearers to improve their hygiene behaviors, such as keeping all water away from contact lenses, discarding used disinfecting solution from the case and cleaning with fresh solution each day, and replacing their contact lens case every 3 months (Box). BOX Wear and care recommendations to reduce the risk for contact lens-associated complications * † Contact lens habits and hygiene Never sleep in contact lenses unless advised to do so by an eye care provider. Keep all water away from contact lenses. Avoid showering while wearing contact lenses, remove them before using a hot tub or swimming, and never rinse or store contact lenses in water. Contact lenses and supplies Replace contact lenses as often as recommended by an eye care provider. Discard used solution from the contact lens case and clean it with fresh solution, never water, every day. Store contact lens case upside down with the caps off after each use. Replace the contact lens case at least once every 3 months. Eye care provider involvement Visit an eye care provider as often as recommended by your primary health care provider. Remove contact lenses immediately and call an eye care provider if you are experiencing eye pain, discomfort, redness, or blurred vision. Be prepared Carry a backup pair of glasses with a current prescription in case contact lenses need to be removed. Additional information about healthy contact lens wear and care is available at http://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses and http://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/show-me-the-science.html.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Cornea
                Cornea
                cornea
                Cornea
                Cornea
                0277-3740
                1536-4798
                13 April 2017
                August 2017
                : 36
                : 8
                : 995-1001
                Affiliations
                [* ]College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH;
                []College of Optometry, State University of New York, New York, NY;
                []College of Optometry, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR;
                [§ ]Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University, Fullerton, CA;
                []School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada;
                []Clinical Trial Consultant, Atlanta, GA; and
                [** ]National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
                Author notes
                Reprints: Aaron B. Zimmerman, OD, MS, The Ohio State University College of Optometry, 338 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 (e-mail: zimmerman.178@ 123456osu.edu ).
                Article
                CORNEA-D-17-00069 00016
                10.1097/ICO.0000000000001204
                5499971
                28410356
                707f4de3-fac9-4a2e-9ed8-5b5b21682670
                Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

                This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.

                History
                : 19 January 2017
                : 22 February 2017
                : 24 February 2017
                Categories
                Basic Investigation
                Custom metadata
                TRUE

                soft contact lenses,gas-permeable lenses,acanthamoeba,keratitis,swimming,showering

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