Purpose: To examine the impact of contact lens application in non-contact lens wearers prior to spectacle dispensing.
Methods: Ninety-one eligible subjects with no previous contact lens experience were randomly assigned into either a test group (52 subjects) or control group (39 subjects). The former group was offered contact lenses before spectacle dispensing. The latter group proceeded to spectacle dispensing in the normal way without being offered contact lenses. The response to the offer of contact lenses, fit success, the impact on the spectacle dispensing process and the longer term purchase of contact lenses were measured and compared for the test and control groups.
Results: Of the test group, 46 (88%) agreed to try contact lenses. All subjects were suitable for contact lenses after a slit lamp examination and lenses were successfully fitted to 45 of the 46 subjects (98%). The test group reported a superior subjective spectacle dispensing experience and spent 267+/-143 pounds (mean+/-standard deviation) on their spectacle frames and lenses, 32% more than the control group (202+/-128 pounds). At 3 months post dispensing, 17 test patients (33% of original cohort) had purchased contact lenses compared with five control subjects (13%) (p=0.001).
Conclusions: The opportunity to try contact lenses prior to spectacle dispensing was well received by subjects who generally reported a very positive experience. In particular, contact lenses assisted in seeing frame detail and suitability for wear. One third of subjects proceeded to purchase contact lenses. We recommend that practitioners consider offering contact lenses to all suitable patients who are proceeding to spectacle dispensing to optimise the dispensing process and to provide an opportunity to try contact lenses.