title: Demographics and behaviour of patients with contact lens-related infectious keratitis in singapore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to identify the demographics and hygiene behaviours associated with contact lens (CL)-related microbial keratitis in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hygiene and social behaviours of lens wearers presenting with infectious keratitis in Singapore were examined using an externally validated questionnaire. Fifty-eight consecutive lens wearers who presented with infectious keratitis at Singapore National Eye Centre were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Patients' demographics, CL-related behaviour, attitude to aftercare visits and microbial study results were collected and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half (55%) of the patients surveyed were female, and the average age of the participants was 25.7 ± 6.4 years. Ninety-six percent of participants used soft CL, with the majority wearing monthly disposable lenses (74.1%). Myopia was the commonest reason for use of CL. CL overwear (81%), sleeping (50.9%) and swimming (33%) with their CL were the major non-compliant behaviours discovered. When encountered with eye discomfort as a result of lens-related infective keratitis, 83% of patients sought the advice of general medical practitioners prior to presentation at the hospital. Many (59%) patients have encountered media coverage but only 24% had any behavioural change as a result. Many patients relied on the recommendations of eyecare practitioners when purchasing disinfecting solutions (26%) and other hygiene practices. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa was the most common organism grown in 22.4% of patients while 47% of patients were culture-negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate lens cleaning, poor aftercare, sleeping and swimming with CL were the major non-compliant behaviours among participants, and these are significant factors when assessing risks in acquiring CL-related infectious keratitis. General eyecare practitioners are the first-line of contact in patients presenting with keratitis symptoms and play an important role in emphasising the need for regular aftercare and good hygiene practices to CL wearers.
authors.affiliation: Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.
authors.forename: Janice S H
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Donald T H
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jodhbir S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003710:Demography; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007634:Keratitis; D012846:Singapore