title: Influence of practice setting on contact lens prescribing in the United Kingdom.
abstract: We sought to determine the impact of optometric practice setting on contact lens prescribing by analysing annual survey data of lens fits collected between 2009 and 2013 from independent and national group practices throughout the United Kingdom. Compared to national group practices, independent practices fit contact lenses to older patients and more females. Independent practices also undertake a lower proportion of soft lens fits overall (and thus a higher proportion of rigid lens fits), soft toric lens fits and daily disposable lens fits. There is a higher proportion of soft extended wear and multifocal lens fits in independent practices. We conclude that contact lens fitting behaviour is influenced by optometric practice setting.
authors.affiliation: Eurolens Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Carys Bannister Building, The University of Manchester, Dover Street, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Philip B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Optometry, Queensland University of Technology, Cnr Musk Avenue & Blamey Street, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: n.efron@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Efron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009907:Optometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Contact lens; Fitting; Independent practices; National group practices; Optometric practice setting; Prescribing; Survey