PURPOSE: To evaluate compliance with contact lens wearing and care procedures among wearers who were health-care providers; to provide information for the planning of educational programs and to contribute to comfortable contact lens wearing and prevention of complications. METHODS: A survey was performed among contact lens wearers engaged in profes-sional activities at the "Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás". Individual interviews were conducted by means of a structured questionnaire in a non-probabilistic sample consisting of individuals who consented to participate in the study. RESULTS: Two hundred one contact lens wearers were interviewed. The respondents` age averaged 23.5 years. Their majority consisted of women (69.2%). 85.1% of the interviewees were employed in medical services. Of the individuals, 172 (85.6%) stated having received medical instructions, but 54.2% did not consider themselves good wearers, because of inadequate cleaning of the contact lenses or their case and also because noncompliance with medical advice. CONCLUSIONS: Providing mere information to patient does not mean automatic compliance. Wearer's understanding and handling the lenses must be checked at every visit. Safe and comfortable contact lens wearing and the important of compliance should be fostered by educational campaigns.
Contact lenses; Contact lenses; Attitude to health; Health education; Patient education; Patient compliance
