Is purchasing lenses from the prescriber associated with better habits among soft contact lens wearers?

• Published in: Contact lens & anterior eye 2016-12, Vol.39 (6), p.435-441
• Main Authors: Chalmers, Robin L., OD, Wagner, Heidi, OD, MPH, Kinoshita, Beth, OD, Sorbara, Luigina, OD, MS, Mitchell, G. Lynn, MAS, Lam, Dawn, OD, MSc, Richdale, Kathryn, OD, PhD, Zimmerman, Aaron, OD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Commerce - economics; Contact lens compliance; Contact Lens Solutions - economics; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic - economics; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic - utilization; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Internet - economics; Internet purchase; Male; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Optometrists - economics; Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data; Patient Preference - economics; Prescriptions - economics; Risk-Taking; United States; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1367-0484; 1476-5411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2016.08.003

Abstract Purpose To compare the habits of United States (US) soft contact lens (SCL) wearers who bought SCLs from their eye care practitioner (ECP), on the internet/telephone, or at retail (not where they were examined) to test the effect of proximity to the prescriber on SCL wear and care practices. Methods Adult SCL wearers completed an adapted Contact Lens Risk Survey (CLRS) online that queried items related to risk factors for SCL-related complications. Responses from subjects who purchased at the ECP, via the internet/telephone, or at a retail store were compared (Chi-Square). Results Purchase sources were: ECP 646 (67%, 44 ± 12 yrs, 17% male), Retail 104 (11%, 45 ± 13 yrs, 28% male), and Internet/telephone 218 (23%, 45 ± 12 yrs, 18% male); age (p = 0.51), gender (p = 0.021). Internet purchasers had fewer annual eye exams (79% ECP, 83% retail, 66% internet/telephone, p = 0.007), purchased more hydrogel SCLs (34% ECP, 29% retail, 45% internet/telephone, p = 0.0034), and paid for SCLs with insurance less often (39% ECP, 29% retail, 19% internet/telephone, p < 0.0001). Other behaviors were similar across groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions In this sample, the purchase location of SCL wearers had limited impact on known risk factors for SCL-related complications. Internet purchasers reported less frequent eye exams and were more likely to be wearing hydrogel SCLs. Closer access to the ECP through in-office SCL purchase did not improve SCL habits or reduce the prevalence of risk behaviors.