Contact lens aftercare, and how the optical assistant (OA) can help with contact lens compliance, is the focus of this month’s OA Corner.
It is important that contact lens patients adhere to regular aftercare appointments for several reasons. The suitability of the lenses is checked, including the prescription, the lens surfaces, the fitting, and the health of the cornea, and it is an opportunity to discuss any new developments in contact lens types and materials.
Contact lenses can only be supplied to a patient if their contact lens specification is in date, and this is renewed at the aftercare appointment, which is usually every 12 months. This is to ensure the eyes are healthy and the contact lenses are still suitable.
The OA can remind the patient of their next aftercare appointment each time they purchase lenses, which does remind the patient that an aftercare appointment is needed, and means they are more likely to comply. The date of the last aftercare appointment should always be checked before ordering more lenses for a patient, to ensure the specification is in date.
If a patient has run out of contact lenses, you need to refer to your contact lens practitioner, as it may be possible to provide a pair of lenses as long as the patient books an aftercare appointment. This must be the decision of the contact lens practitioner, and you should not make this decision without taking advice.
When booking an aftercare appointment, you should advise the patient to come to the appointment wearing their lenses, and to bring the contact lens case and some solution with them. Ideally, the lenses should be in at least two to four hours before the appointment.
The reason for bringing the case and the solutions is so the condition of the case can be checked, and to ensure the patient is using the solutions correctly. A sign of non-compliance is a dirty contact lens case, as this can raise the risk of infection, and the OA should be aware of this sign of non-compliance.
Another sign of non-compliance that an OA should be aware of is the patient who over-wears their lenses. If a patient purchases lenses less frequently than the planned replacement schedule, this could be a sign of the patient making their lenses last longer than recommended.
If the patient complains the lenses are less comfortable at the end of the day, this could be a sign of over-wear. If a patient tells you they don’t have any back-up spectacles, this probably means they are over-wearing their lenses. If a patient has solutions to collect, but they tell you they have plenty left, this probably means they are not cleaning the lenses correctly. These are all flags that you need to be aware of, and report to your contact lens optician (CLO).
Depending on practice protocols and your knowledge and experience, you may wish to explain the reasons for compliance to the patient, but remember: you are working under the supervision of your CLO and they need to be informed, and happy with any advice you give.
This is a topic you could discuss with your CLO to see if they would be happy for you to provide explanations to patients if you suspect a case of non-compliance.
We can see the OA has an important role to play in contact lens compliance, and a vigilant OA is an invaluable asset to an optical practice.
Sue Deal FBDO R is a practising dispensing optician, ABDO College examiner, senior tutor and supervisor for dispensing opticians. She is also a practice visitor and external moderator for ABDO. She was recently awarded the ABDO Medal of Excellence for her outstanding services to the profession.
OA Corner Part 18: Contact lens solutions and past articles.