Opening eyes to contact lenses

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Being relatively new to the optical world I was a bit nervous about what to expect from Sarah Morgan's seminar, 'Support staff training: Contact lenses - the ins and outs', sponsored by Bausch & Lomb. I had only been working as an optometric assistant for a few weeks, and had no previous experience of contact lenses.

This particular seminar seemed the best way to learn about the various benefits and options for patients wearing contact lenses. The full-day seminar was divided into three sections contact lenses, products and compliance.

A contact lens for everyone

All participants were given the opportunity to handle different types of contact lenses and solutions, while Morgan - an optometrist and staff development consultant - gave clear explanations about the differences between the products - such as toric versus multifocal, gas permeable versus soft, and multipurpose versus peroxide solutions. I had no idea there were so many different lenses and solutions available, but I now understand how to manage the different types of appointments required, to make better use of the practitioner's time.

I also feel more comfortable in encouraging patients to trial contact lenses. I recently spoke to some patients who had tried contact lenses years ago and weren't happy with them. After watching the seminar video - 'The history of the contact lens in two minutes' - I was able to reassure them that contact lenses had changed significantly over the years, and rather than a hard lens they could now have a soft contact lens which was more comfortable and permeable.

Before this seminar, I believed that those people who were happy to wear spectacles should stick with them, but now I'm much more inclined to encourage patients to give contact lenses a go.

Compliance counts

During the seminar, Morgan used analogies to highlight the importance of contact lens compliance. My favourite was the analogy about cleaning contact lenses, compared to washing dishes. Morgan noted that after a fry-up, people do not simply dunk a dirty plate in water, then place it on a draining rack and expect it to be clean. People needed to clean the plate thoroughly, ensure there was no dirt on it, and then rinse.

The same applied to contact lenses, she said. People must rub and rinse to ensure they are clean. I now ask patients how they clean their contact lenses, and am confident in taking them through this 'gold standard' of cleaning. Previously, I thought cleaning contact lenses under the tap would have been acceptable - but I now know this is an absolute 'no-no'. Having the importance of compliance - and the potential outcomes of non-compliance - explained in such detail helped me to understand why the proper rub, rinse and storing regime is necessary in ensuring ocular health and limiting the risk of infection.

I would now like to play a bigger role in the practice by talking and demonstrating best practice to patients.

Start a dialogue

Interestingly, Morgan also revealed that more than 50 per cent of people who are suitable for contact lenses don't know they are. Yet, she noted there were several ways in which practitioners could open a dialogue with patients and encourage them to try contact lenses. One simple way is to ask if their appointment was for contact lenses or spectacles. Another idea was to have people wear contact lenses while they were choosing their frames. This will not only enable them to see the frames they are trying, but also familiarise them with contact lenses at the same time.

Confidence boost

After handling contact lenses and learning about the importance of caring for them, I now have the confidence to recommend and discuss contact lenses with patients, even if they may initially be anxious about trying them.

I feel many patients wishing to discuss contact lenses will expect everyone in the practice to have knowledge of them - yet this is not always the case. I think it is valuable for optometrists to train optical assistants so they are able to discuss the various types of lenses, solutions and compliance issues.

A wider knowledge base across the practice will reassure patients from the moment they walk through the door and give optical assistants the confidence to offer advice, and therefore do a thorough job.

Seminars were hosted by Sarah Morgan and sponsored by Bausch & Lomb during June and July. Optometric assistant Gill Hill from Radyr Eyecare, Cardiff, attended the seminar at the Holland House Hotel, Bristol, on July 16. For more information on compliance, email eyegiene@bausch.com  to register for a guide