For people with certain vision and eye conditions, contact lenses are often required to help increase comfort and visual clarity. Unfortunately, people who may not be used to wearing contact lenses don’t tend to last too long.
Findings from Contact Lens Institute’s survey revealed that contact lens patient retention is particularly low. Data showed that 26% of new contact lens wearers drop out within the first year, and 47% drop out within the first two months. According to researchers, new wearers have very high expectations for the effects of contact lenses, and eye doctors may be key to bridging that gap.
Among several factors, researchers emphasize the importance of educating new contact lens wearers on how to apply and handle contacts and how to properly care for and clean them — even for daily disposable contact lenses. As such, researchers highlight that staff members and professionals should be well-trained and well-versed to talk about contact lenses and provide basic feedback and information regarding them.
Further data from the survey showed that 74% of new contacts wearers relied significantly on optometrist recommendations and their advice, while 64% relied on an optician’s advice.
The accessibility of contact lenses
The survey’s findings are significant as contact lenses have become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional eyeglasses. Data from Grand View Research indicates that Canada’s contact lens market generated a revenue of $933.9 million in 2023, with market researchers expecting further growth to reach $2.15 billion by 2030. While physical retail remains the dominant distribution channel for contact lenses, the rise of e-commerce has made contacts even more accessible to people.
Nowadays, shoppers can easily find different kinds and brands of contact lenses online. Retailer Clearly offers contacts from brands like Alcon and Johnson & Johnson and supports different prescriptions from astigmatism to multifocal lenses, depending on what you need. With so many different types and use cases of contact lenses, it’s become even more important for eye health experts to educate new wearers so they aren’t stuck with the wrong type of contacts for their needs and lifestyle.
The importance of optometrist and optician expertise
As highlighted by Contact Lens Institute’s survey findings, contact lens wearing patients are increasingly reliant on professional advice and education. Based on data from Statistics Canada, there were 6,400 optometrists and 11,700 opticians working in Canada in 2023. Additionally, there were also 10,500 employed specialists in surgery, a category that includes ophthalmologists.
The survey’s findings also reiterate that staff members don’t necessarily need to be experts in the field, only that they are eloquent enough to communicate necessary instructions and advice for new contact lens wearers. This includes staff members like receptionists and salespeople at brick-and-mortar stores. For e-commerce contact lens retailers, having accessible information and instructions on the site or app can make contact lenses easier to wear and manage for new wearers.
Additionally, eye health professionals can help offer other lifestyle advice to help make contact lens wear more comfortable. For example, cultivating healthy habits like regular hydration, a balanced diet, and better sleep can help circumvent common contact lens wear issues such as dry eyes and discomfort.
Ultimately, while contact lenses have become increasingly accessible to consumers, eye health experts must ensure that consumers get the eye care experience they expect and deserve. One of the best ways to do this, of course, is by ensuring proper information dissemination. If you’ve recently started wearing contacts and are experiencing unwanted side effects like discomfort or even pain, it’s best to consult an eye health expert as soon as possible.