May M Bakkar1, Mera F Haddad2, Mohammad Al Qadire3. 1. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Allied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. Electronic address: bakkar.may@gmail.com. 2. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Allied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. 3. Faculty of Nursing, Department of Adult Health Nursing, Al Al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess potential patient-related barriers to rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens wear for vision rehabilitation in a sample of keratoconus (KC) patients in Jordan. METHODS: Barriers for RGP contact lens wear among KC patients were discussed and specified by a focus group which consisted of five optometrists who are involved in contact lens practice. The focus group addressed potential barriers for RGP lens wear from the patient's perspective. The identified barriers were then used to design the final questionnaire used in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 8 questions which ask the participant to rate, within a 5-points scale (1: strongly disagree to 5: strongly agree), how each suggested item is considered a barrier for RGP lens wear. RESULTS: 204 KC patients (86 females, 118 males) were involved in a semi-structured interview to answer the questionnaire. The average age of participants was 30.85 (±8.74) years old and ranged from 18 to 62 years. The average age of diagnosis of KC (±standard deviation) is 21.96 (±7.22) years old with a range of 12-52 years. All participants reported that they had never tried RGP lenses for their vision rehabilitation; however, other management options were reported such as glasses, keratoplasty, collagen cross linking and Intacs. The mean score of total barriers to RGP wear was high at 3.8 (±0.4) (out of 5). The major identified barriers were: lack of awareness of the benefits of RGP lenses, fear of possible lens complications, lack of medical insurance and high cost of the lens. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that several barriers were identified as prevalent. Consequently, there is an imperative need to adopt better planning strategies for management protocol of KC in order to assure best eye care service for KC patients in Jordan.
PURPOSE: To assess potential patient-related barriers to rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens wear for vision rehabilitation in a sample of keratoconus (KC) patients in Jordan. METHODS: Barriers for RGP contact lens wear among KC patients were discussed and specified by a focus group which consisted of five optometrists who are involved in contact lens practice. The focus group addressed potential barriers for RGP lens wear from the patient's perspective. The identified barriers were then used to design the final questionnaire used in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 8 questions which ask the participant to rate, within a 5-points scale (1: strongly disagree to 5: strongly agree), how each suggested item is considered a barrier for RGP lens wear. RESULTS: 204 KC patients (86 females, 118 males) were involved in a semi-structured interview to answer the questionnaire. The average age of participants was 30.85 (±8.74) years old and ranged from 18 to 62 years. The average age of diagnosis of KC (±standard deviation) is 21.96 (±7.22) years old with a range of 12-52 years. All participants reported that they had never tried RGP lenses for their vision rehabilitation; however, other management options were reported such as glasses, keratoplasty, collagen cross linking and Intacs. The mean score of total barriers to RGP wear was high at 3.8 (±0.4) (out of 5). The major identified barriers were: lack of awareness of the benefits of RGP lenses, fear of possible lens complications, lack of medical insurance and high cost of the lens. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that several barriers were identified as prevalent. Consequently, there is an imperative need to adopt better planning strategies for management protocol of KC in order to assure best eye care service for KC patients in Jordan.