Characteristics of Patients with Corneal Irregularity that Support the Use of a Prosthetic Contact Lens

Abstract

Purpose: The first purpose of the study was to identify which current clinical methods are used by optometrists in Poland, and the second purpose was to create characteristics of patients with irregular corneas that support the use of a prosthetic contact lens. Methods: This master's thesis was divided into a two-stage qualitative study. In the first phase, a survey study was performed. The researcher posted the survey on the Facebook social media platform in a group of Polish optometrists. The second phase involved an interview with an expert in fitting prosthetic contact lenses, a method used to achieve a smaller pupil size to reduce aberrations in patients with corneal irregularities. The interview included 20 open-ended questions and was conducted via email. An inductive approach was used to qualitatively analyze the information gathered from the expert interview. Creating characteristics of patients with irregular corneas that support the use of a prosthetic contact lens was carried out in cooperation with the Finnish Contact Lens Association. Results: Only one specialist provided relevant answers to the survey posted on the social media platform. The only method of achieving a smaller pupil size in patients with irregular corneas practiced by a specialist was to apply a prosthetic contact lens with a smaller pupil size. The specialist met the criteria to be recognized as an expert for the second part of the study. The expert provided written answers to all interview questions. Based on information obtained from the expert interview, a patient characteristic that supports the use of a prosthetic contact lens with a narrow pupil was formed. Conclusions: Among the currently used methods of achieving smaller pupil size, optometrists in Poland are allowed to use only optical methods. The results of this study revealed a low incidence of using any method of achieving a smaller pupil size in patients with corneal irregularities. To ensure the highest standard of care and the availability of all treatment options, it is essential to promote this topic among optometrists in Poland. Providing optometrists with a practical tool to assist in fitting prosthetic contact lenses in patients with irregular corneas can simplify and shorten the fitting process, ultimately increasing the number of successful fittings.