Compliance in the care of disposable contact lenses: the effect of patients' health beliefs.
We used Becker and Maiman's Health Belief Model to study the compliance of 100 disposable contact lens patients using a recommended lens care routine. Compliance was defined as continuous lens wear for no more than two consecutive weeks. A telephone survey found 90 of 100 patients to be complaint. Unexpectedly, 62% of patients removed and then reinserted the same pair of lenses. No significant difference was found between the complaint and noncompliant groups with respect to their health beliefs. Seven percent of the patients reported having experienced corneal complications and 8% reported eye infections. However, a review of these patients' charts showed that only 3% had been diagnosed as having corneal abrasions, and none had been diagnosed as having an eye infection.
Asbell
P A
PA
Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029.
Dunn
M J
MJ
Schechter
C B
CB
Torres
M A
MA
Wang
G
G
Starer
K L
KL
D000328:Adult; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003625:Data Collection; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012648:Self Care