Nov. 7, 2024 — The latest report from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) reveals practical steps eyecare practices can take to reduce patient dropout rates and boost satisfaction among contact lens wearers. The report, titled "Disrupting the Dropout Dilemma: Practical Steps to Keep Patients in Contact Lenses," is part of CLI’s See Tomorrow series and is now available for free.

“This practical research substantially builds on prior studies, digging deeper into why current contact lens patients choose to continue wear. By exploring a range of advantages and detractors alike, everyone involved in the care spectrum—from doctors to techs to administrative staff—can better understand their role in facilitating success,” says CLI executive director Stan Rogaski. “Even modest adjustments to some everyday, in-practice behaviors can disrupt the dropout cycle.”

The report found high levels of satisfaction among contact lens users, which increased from 67% among new wearers to 86% among those who had worn lenses for more than two years. The main factors driving satisfaction included comfort, vision quality, freedom from glasses, and convenience, while new wearers tended to report more challenges in adapting to lenses.

The publication, which draws from an August 2024 study of 401 U.S. adults split between new (less than two years of wear) and long-term soft contact lens wearers (more than two years of wear), highlights factors that influence whether patients continue using contact lenses. Here are some key takeaways:

• Contact lens satisfaction rises significantly from 67% among new wearers to 86% among those who’ve worn lenses long-term, highlighting the benefits of investing in education and outreach for new users.
• Comfort, vision quality, freedom from glasses, and convenience are the primary drivers of satisfaction for both new and long-term wearers.
• New wearers tend to be more sensitive to various challenges with contact lenses, indicating a need for extra support and guidance early on.
• Patients who have worn contacts for over two years are less likely to stop; 87% of long-term wearers reported never discontinuing their use.
• Contact lens knowledge is largely sourced from practice staff, especially for new wearers, though friends and family also play an influential role.
• New wearers particularly appreciate actions by doctors and staff that ensure they understand tasks like insertion and removal, which encourages continued use.
• Practical support for common issues, including vision and comfort concerns, handling difficulties, convenience, and cost, helps sustain wear.
• More than half of patients say a positive relationship with their practice affects their choice to purchase contact lenses directly from that practice.
• Patients generally expect exams to last 16-20 minutes, a factor that strengthens trust in their doctor’s advice.
• Nearly 60% of new wearers reported that conversations about alternating between contact lenses and glasses positively influenced their commitment to contacts.

CLI has provided the report in a 32-page format that includes 14 visual infographics. These are designed for use in staff training and patient education, along with insights from 18 CLI Visionaries—eyecare professionals who discuss how they apply the findings in their practices.