Soft Contact Lens Care and Patient Education

Author: Venus Sosa, LDO, ABOC, NCLEC

Co-Author: Debra Bennett, ABOC, NCLE-AC

Venus Sosa and Debra Bennett have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The content and format of this course is presented without commercial bias and does not claim superiority of any commercial product of service.

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive review of soft contact lens care and patient education, from the effects of lens wear on the ocular surface and current soft lens materials to safe handling, cleaning, disinfection, and storage practices. It reviews lens insertion and removal, replacement schedules, care systems, dispensing and fit evaluation, adaptation, and strategies for effective patient education. Emphasis is placed on preventing high-risk behaviors, improving patient compliance, recognizing adverse signs and symptoms, and knowing when referral to the prescribing eye care professional is appropriate.

Course Objectives

• Describe the effects of soft contact lens wear, lens materials, fit, and oxygen transmission on the cornea, tear film, conjunctiva, and other ocular structures.
• Distinguish between soft contact lens replacement schedules and care-system components, including cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, storage, hydrogen peroxide systems, and rewetting products.
• Identify safe procedures for soft contact lens inspection, insertion, removal, cleaning, disinfection, storage, and lens-case care.
• Apply appropriate dispensing, lens-evaluation, adaptation, and patient-education strategies to support successful soft contact lens wear.
• Identify common noncompliant and high-risk behaviors, including improper hygiene, water exposure, overnight wear, extended replacement, and improper solution or case practices, and explain methods for reinforcing safer behaviors.
• Recognize adverse signs and symptoms associated with contact lens wear and care and determine when referral to the prescribing eye care professional is appropriate, including use of the RSVP guideline.

Course Assessment

There is a 40-question test at the end of the course. A successful passing score of 80% is required on all ABO-NCLE continuing education courses in order to earn the designated number of credits. You will know your grade instantly after completing the course.