Purpose To evaluate the mobile application's effectiveness in enhancing contact lens (CL) wearers' knowledge and improving their lens care practice. Methods This pretest-posttest study involved neophyte CL wearers in Tehran, Iran, who were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, matched by sex and lens type. Participants' demographics, knowledge, and practice were assessed using validated questionnaires. The intervention group used a user-centered mobile application (“My Lens”) with educational content, interactive features, and reminders for two months. Data were analyzed using chi-square, independent sample t-test, and paired t-test. Results Sixty neophyte CL wearers participated, with no significant differences in demographic or lens-use characteristics between groups. In the intervention group, mean knowledge scores increased from (27.7 ± 5.8) at pre-test to (43.5 ± 1.4) at post-test, indicating a statistically significant improvement with a very large effect size (d = 3.77). In the control group, scores also increased from (27.7 ± 2.7) to (33.6 ± 2.5), with a smaller but significant effect (d = 2.28). Post-intervention practice scores were higher in the intervention group (93.6 ± 3.0) compared to the control group (77.8 ± 3.6), with a very large effect size (d = 4.19). Overall, the mobile application effectively improved both knowledge and practice compared to routine training. Conclusion The user-centered mobile application significantly improved both knowledge and practice among CL wearers, confirming the effectiveness of mobile-based educational (m-health) tools. Providing structured, accessible, and user-friendly education, such applications may prevent complications and promote safer CL use.
Objective Contact lens use is a significant modifiable risk factor for contact lens-associated dry eye (CLADE), a distinct and prevalent subtype of dry eye disease. This study aimed to describe CLADE symptoms using the 8-item Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ-8) and to quantify knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding CLADE. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in China between March 20 and May 22, 2025, among contact lens users. Participants completed two independent instruments: the CLDEQ-8 (symptom frequency and intensity; not a KAP scale) and a 25-item CLADE KAP questionnaire (knowledge 0–20, attitude 7–35, and practice 8–40). Domain scores were classified as poor (≤50% of the domain maximum), moderate (>50% to 75%), or good (>75%). Results The analysis included 718 valid questionnaires. Nearly 90% of participants reported CLADE-related discomfort at least occasionally, and approximately 40% reported blurred or fluctuating vision at least sometimes. All participants were contact lens wearers, most of whom used soft contact lenses for 4–8 h per day and had worn lenses for at least one year. Among the participants, 6.69% had been diagnosed with CLADE, while 29.11% reported symptoms consistent with CLADE but had not received a formal diagnosis. The mean scores were 10.59 ± 4.21 for knowledge (range 0–20), 25.89 ± 2.53 for attitude (range 7–35), and 27.92 ± 5.05 for practice (range 8–40), reflecting an overall moderate level of KAP. SEM results indicated that attitude had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.285, P = 0.012). Knowledge also exhibited a direct effect on practice (β = 0.427, P = 0.005), as well as an indirect effect mediated through attitude (β = 0.074, P = 0.007). Conclusion Contact lens wearers demonstrated a moderate level of KAP related to CLADE. These results underscore the importance of enhanced education to promote positive attitudes and behavioral change. Future public health campaigns and clinical counseling should emphasize systematic education to improve CLADE-related knowledge and self-management.
