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Nearly two thirds of UK contact lens wearers and over a third of spectacle wearers would rather try continuous wear lenses than laser eye surgery, according to a survey by CIBA Vision.

Over 1,500 men and women were polled across the UK to assess how people feel about their vision, including fears about laser eye surgery. Nearly half (48 per cent) wanted hassle-free round-the-clock vision but a similar number (47 per cent) said that the risks associated with laser eye surgery would stop them from considering this option.

Some 60 per cent of CL wearers and more than a third of regular spectacle wearers (35 per cent) said they would consider trying continuous-wear lenses rather than undergo refractive surgery.

A further third of all respondents said they preferred to wear contact lenses rather than spectacles for a night out. Of those respondents who wore a combination of spectacles and contact lenses, 95 per cent said they opted for contact lenses on a night out. Over half of respondents also said they would opt for contact lenses when going out if there was potential for meeting prospective romantic partners.

Around 60 per cent said they would feel more comfortable about making overnight plans if they didn't have to worry about changing contact lenses, while 48 per cent admitted to having slept in their daily wear contact lenses on occasions.

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