| Abstract: | Contact lens practitioners were surveyed in September 1988 on their prescribing patterns, use of care solutions and attitudes to extended wear (EW). During the period July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988, the responding practitioners prescribed an average of 95 new pairs of contact lenses and provided an average of 96 pairs of replacement lenses. Thirty-eight per cent of fittings were refits, 80 per cent of lenses prescribed were soft lenses, 25 per cent and 12 per cent of soft and hard lenses respectively were toric, and 39 per cent and 87 per cent of soft and hard lenses respectively were tinted. Hydrogen peroxide was the most popular method for disinfecting soft lenses. Over 85 per cent of the respondents were prepared to fit contact lenses for EW use under certain circumstances, but only 15 per cent of all lenses prescribed were for any type of EW. Over 90 per cent of lenses prescribed for EW were soft. The most commonly recommended frequency for regular EW lens replacement was six-monthly and the mean number of nights of overnight wear recommended by the practitioners was 4.5 nights per week. |
