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Potential contact lens wearers are slipping through the net due to a lack of communication during the patient journey, according to latest research.
An Optician study sponsored by CIBA Vision found that only 26 per cent of patients with a prescription suitable for contact lenses were being booked for a contact lens assessment.
It was found that while 12 per cent of eye care professionals mentioned contact lenses as 'part of every encounter with a patient who requires vision correction', 25 per cent said they discussed them 'as part of every appropriate clinical assessment' and 52 per cent did so 'most of the time when appropriate'.
Andrew Elder Smith, professional marketing manager, CIBA Vision UK, said: 'Most practitioners in the survey appear to be making a judgment as to whether a patient would be interested in being free from their glasses before informing them of how contact lenses could be of benefit.
'With the range of lenses available nearly all prescriptions could be fitted but unless a contact lens conversation routinely forms part of the patient journey then many people will remain unaware. Even if it appears an unproductive conversation, that person may pass on the message to friends and relatives.'
From a total of 302 respondents from practices throughout the UK, 6 per cent said they mentioned contact lenses to patients 'only if they ask', with 5 per cent saying 'only if I remember'.
Multifocal contact lenses were identified by the ACLM as the best opportunity for growth in the contact lens sector last month (News 20.04.12). But the Optician study found that 48 per cent were only occasionally telling patients about these lenses, with 41 per cent mentioning them frequently and 9 per cent always.
Elder Smith added: 'Because multifocal lenses are becoming easier to fit and give great results, practitioner confidence in recommending is increasing.'
A full feature on the report, which also quizzed practitioners about contact lens trials, modalities and comfort comparisons, will be published in Optician on May 18.
