Factors Influencing Contact Lenses Uptake among School-Going Children and Teenagers with Myopia Attending Selected Eye Clinics in Kenya

Objective Contact lens (CL) use for myopia correction among children and teenagers has become a focal point of global interest. Yet, spectacles remain dominant for vision correction in this age group. This study investigated the factors affecting CL uptake among myopic school-going children and teenagers attending Kenyan eye clinics.

Study Design Cross-sectional study.

Methods A survey conducted across 13 Kenyan eye clinics, involving myopic participants aged 8-19 years. Data collection employed a mixed-method using validated semi-structured questionnaires that also included a 3-level Likert scale to elicit responses regarding factors that influenced the uptake of CLs. Analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Cramer's V.

Results 85 participants, with a mean age of 13.4 ± 2.1 years, who were more of females (54.1%) were included in the study. While CL uptake was low (17.6%), spectacles remained the preferred myopia correction method among the participants. Factors favoring CL preference were appropriate visual clarity with CL (59%), enhanced self-esteem and social acceptance (64%). Major barriers to CL uptake were fear of eye injuries (60%), limited CL knowledge (55%), and fewer CL professionals (48%). Eye care professionals were the primary CL information source. A weak association was observed between spectacles’ perceived bulkiness and CL uptake (Cramer's V: 0.223, p=0.121). However, vision clarity (Cramer's V: 0.387, p=0.002) and social acceptance (Cramer's V: 0.351, p=0.005) showed stronger associations with CL uptake in children and teenagers in the study.

Conclusion While information gaps and limited professional availability hinder CL uptake among Kenyan students, benefits like better vision clarity and improved social acceptance promote their use. Efforts to address information gaps and highlight CL advantages are recommended to foster broader acceptance.

Graphical abstract Investigating myopia correction choices in Kenyan youth, this study examines preferences for spectacles versus contact lenses among 85 participants. Despite a 60% concern over eye injuries and a 48% lack of access to specialists, the benefits of contact lenses, including 59% better vision and 64% increased self-esteem, tend to sway opinions. The research underscores a strong link between lens use and perceived visual and social gains, advocating for informative programs to facilitate wider lens adoption.