KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PERCEPTION OF CONTACT LENSES IN CORRECTING REFRACTIVE ERROR AMONG LIFE SCIENCE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses placed directly on the eye's surface to correct refractive errors. Understanding their usage among university students is crucial for promoting eye health. This crosssectional study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) (both pre- and posteducation) regarding contact lens use in correcting refractive error among 377 Life Science students at the University of Benin through a structured questionnaire infused with an educative content on Contact lenses. Majority of respondents were females (63.9%), aged 21-23 years (37.4%), with 400 level students constituting the largest group (29.7%). Only 75 respondents reported prior use of contact lenses. Notably, a significant proportion of these 75 (72%) had previously used contact lenses primarily for fashion purposes and just (28%) had used contact lenses for correction of refractive error suggesting a potential underutilization of contact lenses as a vision correction option. While most participants had heard of contact lenses, their knowledge regarding fitting and removal was limited. Overall, there was poor knowledge of contact lenses for correction of refractive errors (60.7%). Attitudes to contact lenses were unfavourable, both pre- and post-education (64.5.7% and 60.2%). Perceptions of contact lens uptake were also negative both pre- and post-education (53.3% and 54.1%). The data analysis using Paired T tests revealed no significant change in participants’ attitudes (p = 0.455) and perception (p = 0.455) towards contact lens usage for refractive error correction even after some focused education. Common misconceptions persisted which obviously affected their attitudes towards contact lens uptake, including concerns about comfort and maintenance. Eye care practitioners should therefore provide thorough education on the various corrective measures for refractive errors to their patients in order to ward off negative perceptions and promote informed decision making about vision correction options.