Hygiene practices in orthokeratology lens use: A survey among adolescents in Xi'an, China.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the hygiene practices of adolescent orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens wearers and their parents in Xi'an, China. By surveying hygiene habits and testing for microbial contamination in lens case solutions, this study provides valuable insights for future health education on ortho-k lenses.

METHODS

A 17-item questionnaire was developed to evaluate the hygiene habits of ortho-k lens wearers. The survey covered topics such as wearing habits, hand hygiene, lens cleaning, and case cleaning. Additionally, lens case solution samples were collected for microbiological testing via culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the effects of the parameters on microbial contamination of the case solution.

RESULTS

A total of 283 valid questionnaire responses were collected for the survey. Of those respondents, 247 provided lens cases for microbial testing. Among those samples, 57 (23.1 %) tested positive for bacteria, fungi, or Acanthamoeba. The predominant bacterial contaminants found in the case solution were Pandoraea sputorum, Achromobacter sp., Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus spp.. A chi-square test revealed significant associations between age (10-17 years old) and overnight wear duration with microbial positivity.

CONCLUSION

Compared with those in earlier reports from other Chinese cities, the hygiene practices of adolescent ortho-k lens wearers and their parents in recent years in Xi'an have been generally satisfactory. Although overall lens hygiene is largely adequate, deficiencies remain in lens case hygiene as well as hand washing duration and thoroughness indicating a need for targeted improvements.