Water exposure during contact lens wear has long been associated with potentially serious conditions such as microbial keratitis. It is a subject we have passionately championed in recent years and it was fascinating to read the results of a recent study which found that education programmes such as our own ‘no water’ stickers had a positive impact on water-contact behaviours and reduced storage case contamination.
The study shows close to a 15 per cent reduction in endotoxin levels from a very simple message. We worked closely with Irenie Ekkeshis to introduce the no water stickers and championed them from the start. The simplicity of the message has been crucial to their success and it is a message worth repeating, over and over again.
However, messaging always needs refining over time and as the study points out, results could potentially be improved if the message from across the profession was even clearer.
As a profession we need to show collective responsibility for getting the message across to patients. That means all stakeholders have a part to play, without exception. Ideally, the message should be reinforced at every visit and in any communication, including remote consultation, from industry-approved templates.
Throughout society we have all become far more compliant over health recommendations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems sensible to tap into this new-found willingness to follow guidelines and harness it to help improve outcomes in our own field as well.
It is important to acknowledge that while no water stickers play an important role in keeping diseases such as microbial keratitis at bay, they form only a part of a wider education process. Other measures need to be considered and acted on.
Here at the BCLA we have recently updated our popular Dos and Don’ts guide to reflect the very latest advice and we would urge all ECPs to download this from our website and share this information with their patients.
We also have specific guidance available for both practitioners and patients about a range of contact lens related subjects. This consumer-friendly advice can be crucial in getting across the right messaging to the right people at the right time.
With us all getting back into practice, now is the time to think about the way we communicate with patients, refine our messaging and ensure the advice we are giving them is relevant, up to date and accurate.