Assessing User Compliance with Procedures for Soft Contact Lens Care

Many eye health problems associated with soft contact lens wear can be traced to user error in lens care. This paper describes a human factors research project undertaken by the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate and improve labeling for soft contact lens care. An experimental methodology was developed that permitted contact lens cleaning performance to be evaluated in terms of performance, instructional, and motivational factors. In the first study, experienced soft contact lens wearers were observed while they cleaned and disinfected their lenses. Errors were observed for all aspects of lens care, including failing to understand correct procedures, failing to follow instructions, improperly maintaining lens care system components, and mismatching components from incompatible care systems. Prototype patient instruction booklets that were designed to eliminate these errors were then prepared. In a second study, the prototype booklets were tested to determine how well they conveyed lens care information to new contact lens wearers. Performance measures indicated that the prototype booklets exerted measurable improvements on lens care compliance.