Contact lens procurement practices and wear habits among users in Oman
Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation in optometry,
Vol. 6 No. 4 (2025),
30 January 2026
,
Page 160-165
https://doi.org/10.51329/mehdioptometry235
Abstract
Background: Contact lens wear is widely preferred for refractive error correction because of its cosmetic appeal and visual benefits. However, safe use requires adherence to proper prescription, wear, and maintenance practices. Non-compliance increases the risk of complications, particularly when contact lenses are procured from non-conventional sources. Despite contact lens wear being a major risk factor for microbial keratitis, data on contact lens procurement and wear habits in Oman remain limited.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study employed non-probability sampling using a self-administered questionnaire conducted between January and April 2024. Participants were 18 years or older, resided in Oman, and reported contact lens use. The survey assessed contact lens procurement, wear patterns, care practices, and compliance with recommended lens care behaviors.
Results: A total of 526 individuals participated, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 23.7 (6.1) years (range: 18–53), representing all governorates of Oman. The majority were female (n = 484, 92.0%) and students (n = 336, 64.0%). Nearly half of participants (n = 259, 49.2%) used contact lenses for cosmetic purposes. While 68.4% (n = 360) wore soft contact lenses, 24.9% (n = 131) were unaware of the type of lenses they used. Approximately 60% (n = 316) of participants did not undergo an eye examination prior to obtaining their first pair of contact lenses; 22.2% (n = 117) purchased lenses online, and 16.2% (n = 85) from pharmacies or beauty salons without specialist consultation. Furthermore, 68.1% (n = 358) did not have regular eye examinations and 18.4% (n = 97) reported sharing contact lenses with friends.
Conclusions: Contact lens use is common among young people in Oman, predominantly for cosmetic purposes, and unsafe practices are widespread. Non-conventional procurement, lack of eye examinations, missed follow-up visits, and contact lens sharing were frequently reported. These findings underscore the need for stricter regulation of contact lens distribution and targeted public health education to promote safe contact lens wear. Future research should use nationally representative samples to further evaluate contact lens safety practices in Oman.
Keywords:
- oman
- contact lens
- soft contact lens
- refractive error
- habit
- risk factor
References
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2. Morgan PB, Efron N. Global contact lens prescribing 2000-2020. Clin Exp Optom. 2022 Apr;105(3):298-312. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2033604. Epub 2022 Feb 20. PMID: 35184672.
3. Ezinne NE, Bhattarai D, Ekemiri KK, Harbajan GN, Crooks AC, Mashige KP, Ilechie AA, Zeried FM, Osuagwu UL. Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study. PLoS One. 2022 Jul 22;17(7):e0264659. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264659. PMID: 35867670; PMCID: PMC9307171.
4. Noushad B, Mohamed Z, Suresh Vankudre G, Hussaindeen JR, Rani K, Elhaj M, Alshamli N. Profile of contact lens prescribing in GCC countries. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024 Apr;47(2):102128. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102128. Epub 2024 Feb 10. PMID: 38342732.
5. Haddad MF, Bakkar M, Gammoh Y, Morgan P. Trends of contact lens prescribing in Jordan. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016 Oct;39(5):385-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Jun 28. PMID: 27364560.
6. Beshtawi I, Ghaboun N, Al Titi R, Asia H, Abu-Khalaf N, Frehat R. Contact Lens Prescribing Patterns in Palestine. Palestinian Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal (Pal. Med. Pharm. J.). 2025 May 22;11(3). doi: 10.59049/2790-0231.11.4.2549.
7. Noushad B, Saoji Y, Bhakat P, Thomas J. Contact lens compliance among a group of young, university-based lens users in South India. Australas Med J. 2012;5(3):168-74. doi: 10.4066/AMJ.20121049. Epub 2012 Mar 31. PMID: 22952562; PMCID: PMC3433732.
8. Pucker AD, Tichenor AA. A Review of Contact Lens Dropout. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2020 Jun 25;12:85-94. doi: 10.2147/OPTO.S198637. PMID: 32612404; PMCID: PMC7323801.
9. Yee A, Walsh K, Schulze M, Jones L. The impact of patient behaviour and care system compliance on reusable soft contact lens complications. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2021 Oct;44(5):101432. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.02.018. Epub 2021 Mar 5. PMID: 33678542.
10. Rueff EM, Wolfe J, Bailey MD. A study of contact lens compliance in a non-clinical setting. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2019 Oct;42(5):557-561. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2019.03.001. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30890305; PMCID: PMC6746612.
11. Robertson DM, Cavanagh HD. Non-compliance with contact lens wear and care practices: a comparative analysis. Optom Vis Sci. 2011 Dec;88(12):1402-8. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e3182333cf9. PMID: 21946785; PMCID: PMC3223553.
12. Waghmare SV, Jeria S. A Review of Contact Lens-Related Risk Factors and Complications. Cureus. 2022 Oct 10;14(10):e30118. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30118. PMID: 36381898; PMCID: PMC9644230.
13. Alonso S, Yela S, Cardona G. Are Patients Sufficiently Informed about Contact Lens Wear and Care? Optom Vis Sci. 2022 Dec 1;99(12):853-858. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001964. Epub 2022 Nov 26. PMID: 36441991.
14. Falahati-Marvast F, Alipour F, Farokhzadian J, Ahmadian L. Determining the information needs of contact lens wearers for better education and more support: a qualitative study. BMC Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep 7;21(1):325. doi: 10.1186/s12886-021-02085-0. PMID: 34493240; PMCID: PMC8422659.
15. Gammoh Y, Abdu M. Contact lens procurement and usage habits among adults in Sudan. PLoS One. 2021 May 19;16(5):e0251987. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251987. PMID: 34010356; PMCID: PMC8133405.
16. Gammoh Y, Asfour W. Compliance to contact lens wear and care among Jordanian adults. PLoS One. 2023 Jan 11;18(1):e0280409. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280409. PMID: 36630467; PMCID: PMC9833521.
17. Al-Ghafri A, Al-Raisi A. The epidemiology of nonviral microbial keratitis in a tertiary care center in Muscat, Oman. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep-Dec;11(3):213-219. doi: 10.4103/ojo.OJO_4_2018. PMID: 30505110; PMCID: PMC6219341.
18. Abahussin M, AlAnazi M, Ogbuehi KC, Osuagwu UL. Prevalence, use and sale of contact lenses in Saudi Arabia: survey on university women and non-ophthalmic stores. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2014 Jun;37(3):185-90. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2013.10.001. Epub 2013 Nov 7. PMID: 24211011.
19. Thite N, Noushad B, Kunjeer G. Contact lens prescribing pattern in India--2011. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2013 Aug;36(4):182-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2013.01.001. Epub 2013 Jan 26. PMID: 23357473.
20. Morgan PB, Efron N. Quarter of a century of contact lens prescribing trends in the United Kingdom (1996 - 2020). Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Jun;45(3):101446. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101446. Epub 2021 Apr 15. PMID: 33863662.
21. Wu YT, Willcox M, Zhu H, Stapleton F. Contact lens hygiene compliance and lens case contamination: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2015 Oct;38(5):307-16. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2015.04.007. Epub 2015 May 15. PMID: 25980811.
22. Devonshire P, Munro FA, Abernethy C, Clark BJ. Microbial contamination of contact lens cases in the west of Scotland. Br J Ophthalmol. 1993 Jan;77(1):41-5. doi: 10.1136/bjo.77.1.41. PMID: 8435399; PMCID: PMC504422.
23. Yung MS, Boost M, Cho P, Yap M. Microbial contamination of contact lenses and lens care accessories of soft contact lens wearers (university students) in Hong Kong. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2007 Jan;27(1):11-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2006.00427.x. PMID: 17239186.
24. Schweizer HC, Bellach S, Fraatz M. 89 Influence of information on contact lens buyer's attitude to where to buy. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2011 Dec 1;34:S38. doi: 10.1016/s1367-0484(11)60168-9.
25. Fogel J, Zidile C. Contact lenses purchased over the internet place individuals potentially at risk for harmful eye care practices. Optometry. 2008 Jan;79(1):23-35. doi: 10.1016/j.optm.2007.07.013. PMID: 18156093.
26. Efron N, Morgan PB, Nichols JJ, Walsh K, Willcox MD, Wolffsohn JS, Jones LW. All soft contact lenses are not created equal. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Apr;45(2):101515. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101515. Epub 2021 Sep 25. PMID: 34583895.
27. Efron N. Dangers of uninformed soft contact lens selling and substitution recognised. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Apr;45(2):101577. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2022.101577. Epub 2022 Feb 21. PMID: 35210168.
28. Al Hadlaq AM, Al Harbi MM. The Epidemiological Profile and Predisposing Factors of Microbial Keratitis Over a 10-Year Period at a Tertiary Hospital in Central Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2023 Sep 18;15(9):e45433. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45433. PMID: 37727843; PMCID: PMC10506373.
29. Al-Yousuf N. Microbial keratitis in kingdom of bahrain: clinical and microbiology study. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2009 Jan;16(1):3-7. doi: 10.4103/0974-9233.48855. PMID: 20142952; PMCID: PMC2813578.
30. Kalloniatis M, Ly C. The role of optometry in collaborative eye care. Clin Exp Optom. 2016 May;99(3):201-3. doi: 10.1111/cxo.12403. Epub 2016 May 12. PMID: 27178759.
31. Hind J, Williams O, Oladiwura D, Macdonald E. The differences between patient and optometrist experiences of contact lens hygiene education from the perspective of a Scottish university teaching hospital. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020 Apr;43(2):185-188. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2019.07.006. Epub 2019 Jul 18. PMID: 31327578.
32. Zhou A, Goh AQY, Steinemann TL. Law and Order: The Regulation of Contact Lens Sales in the United States Today. Eye Contact Lens. 2023 Nov 1;49(11):447-448. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000001033. PMID: 37876278.
33. Sweeney D, Holden B, Evans K, Ng V, Cho P. Best practice contact lens care: a review of the Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care Summit. Clin Exp Optom. 2009 Mar;92(2):78-89. doi: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2009.00353.x. PMID: 19278458.
34. Morgan P. International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE): A successful global education model. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2021 Feb 1;44(1):14. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.12.046.
35. Gammoh Y, Moodley V. Situation analysis of optometric education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. East Mediterr Health J. 2023 Mar 26;29(3):170-176. doi: 10.26719/emhj.23.019. PMID: 36987622.
36. Mohamed Z, Alrasheed SH, Gammoh Y, Abdu M, Noushad B, Alshamli N, Alghamdi WM. Scope of optometry practice in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. East Mediterr Health J. 2025 May 29;31(5):325-331. doi: 10.26719/2025.31.5.325. PMID: 40552603.
37. Thomas JF. A vision for optometry in Oman. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2013 May;6(2):75-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-620X.116617. PMID: 24082662; PMCID: PMC3779418.
2. Morgan PB, Efron N. Global contact lens prescribing 2000-2020. Clin Exp Optom. 2022 Apr;105(3):298-312. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2033604. Epub 2022 Feb 20. PMID: 35184672.
3. Ezinne NE, Bhattarai D, Ekemiri KK, Harbajan GN, Crooks AC, Mashige KP, Ilechie AA, Zeried FM, Osuagwu UL. Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study. PLoS One. 2022 Jul 22;17(7):e0264659. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264659. PMID: 35867670; PMCID: PMC9307171.
4. Noushad B, Mohamed Z, Suresh Vankudre G, Hussaindeen JR, Rani K, Elhaj M, Alshamli N. Profile of contact lens prescribing in GCC countries. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024 Apr;47(2):102128. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102128. Epub 2024 Feb 10. PMID: 38342732.
5. Haddad MF, Bakkar M, Gammoh Y, Morgan P. Trends of contact lens prescribing in Jordan. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016 Oct;39(5):385-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Jun 28. PMID: 27364560.
6. Beshtawi I, Ghaboun N, Al Titi R, Asia H, Abu-Khalaf N, Frehat R. Contact Lens Prescribing Patterns in Palestine. Palestinian Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal (Pal. Med. Pharm. J.). 2025 May 22;11(3). doi: 10.59049/2790-0231.11.4.2549.
7. Noushad B, Saoji Y, Bhakat P, Thomas J. Contact lens compliance among a group of young, university-based lens users in South India. Australas Med J. 2012;5(3):168-74. doi: 10.4066/AMJ.20121049. Epub 2012 Mar 31. PMID: 22952562; PMCID: PMC3433732.
8. Pucker AD, Tichenor AA. A Review of Contact Lens Dropout. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2020 Jun 25;12:85-94. doi: 10.2147/OPTO.S198637. PMID: 32612404; PMCID: PMC7323801.
9. Yee A, Walsh K, Schulze M, Jones L. The impact of patient behaviour and care system compliance on reusable soft contact lens complications. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2021 Oct;44(5):101432. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.02.018. Epub 2021 Mar 5. PMID: 33678542.
10. Rueff EM, Wolfe J, Bailey MD. A study of contact lens compliance in a non-clinical setting. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2019 Oct;42(5):557-561. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2019.03.001. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30890305; PMCID: PMC6746612.
11. Robertson DM, Cavanagh HD. Non-compliance with contact lens wear and care practices: a comparative analysis. Optom Vis Sci. 2011 Dec;88(12):1402-8. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e3182333cf9. PMID: 21946785; PMCID: PMC3223553.
12. Waghmare SV, Jeria S. A Review of Contact Lens-Related Risk Factors and Complications. Cureus. 2022 Oct 10;14(10):e30118. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30118. PMID: 36381898; PMCID: PMC9644230.
13. Alonso S, Yela S, Cardona G. Are Patients Sufficiently Informed about Contact Lens Wear and Care? Optom Vis Sci. 2022 Dec 1;99(12):853-858. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001964. Epub 2022 Nov 26. PMID: 36441991.
14. Falahati-Marvast F, Alipour F, Farokhzadian J, Ahmadian L. Determining the information needs of contact lens wearers for better education and more support: a qualitative study. BMC Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep 7;21(1):325. doi: 10.1186/s12886-021-02085-0. PMID: 34493240; PMCID: PMC8422659.
15. Gammoh Y, Abdu M. Contact lens procurement and usage habits among adults in Sudan. PLoS One. 2021 May 19;16(5):e0251987. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251987. PMID: 34010356; PMCID: PMC8133405.
16. Gammoh Y, Asfour W. Compliance to contact lens wear and care among Jordanian adults. PLoS One. 2023 Jan 11;18(1):e0280409. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280409. PMID: 36630467; PMCID: PMC9833521.
17. Al-Ghafri A, Al-Raisi A. The epidemiology of nonviral microbial keratitis in a tertiary care center in Muscat, Oman. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep-Dec;11(3):213-219. doi: 10.4103/ojo.OJO_4_2018. PMID: 30505110; PMCID: PMC6219341.
18. Abahussin M, AlAnazi M, Ogbuehi KC, Osuagwu UL. Prevalence, use and sale of contact lenses in Saudi Arabia: survey on university women and non-ophthalmic stores. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2014 Jun;37(3):185-90. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2013.10.001. Epub 2013 Nov 7. PMID: 24211011.
19. Thite N, Noushad B, Kunjeer G. Contact lens prescribing pattern in India--2011. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2013 Aug;36(4):182-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2013.01.001. Epub 2013 Jan 26. PMID: 23357473.
20. Morgan PB, Efron N. Quarter of a century of contact lens prescribing trends in the United Kingdom (1996 - 2020). Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Jun;45(3):101446. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101446. Epub 2021 Apr 15. PMID: 33863662.
21. Wu YT, Willcox M, Zhu H, Stapleton F. Contact lens hygiene compliance and lens case contamination: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2015 Oct;38(5):307-16. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2015.04.007. Epub 2015 May 15. PMID: 25980811.
22. Devonshire P, Munro FA, Abernethy C, Clark BJ. Microbial contamination of contact lens cases in the west of Scotland. Br J Ophthalmol. 1993 Jan;77(1):41-5. doi: 10.1136/bjo.77.1.41. PMID: 8435399; PMCID: PMC504422.
23. Yung MS, Boost M, Cho P, Yap M. Microbial contamination of contact lenses and lens care accessories of soft contact lens wearers (university students) in Hong Kong. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2007 Jan;27(1):11-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2006.00427.x. PMID: 17239186.
24. Schweizer HC, Bellach S, Fraatz M. 89 Influence of information on contact lens buyer's attitude to where to buy. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2011 Dec 1;34:S38. doi: 10.1016/s1367-0484(11)60168-9.
25. Fogel J, Zidile C. Contact lenses purchased over the internet place individuals potentially at risk for harmful eye care practices. Optometry. 2008 Jan;79(1):23-35. doi: 10.1016/j.optm.2007.07.013. PMID: 18156093.
26. Efron N, Morgan PB, Nichols JJ, Walsh K, Willcox MD, Wolffsohn JS, Jones LW. All soft contact lenses are not created equal. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Apr;45(2):101515. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101515. Epub 2021 Sep 25. PMID: 34583895.
27. Efron N. Dangers of uninformed soft contact lens selling and substitution recognised. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Apr;45(2):101577. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2022.101577. Epub 2022 Feb 21. PMID: 35210168.
28. Al Hadlaq AM, Al Harbi MM. The Epidemiological Profile and Predisposing Factors of Microbial Keratitis Over a 10-Year Period at a Tertiary Hospital in Central Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2023 Sep 18;15(9):e45433. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45433. PMID: 37727843; PMCID: PMC10506373.
29. Al-Yousuf N. Microbial keratitis in kingdom of bahrain: clinical and microbiology study. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2009 Jan;16(1):3-7. doi: 10.4103/0974-9233.48855. PMID: 20142952; PMCID: PMC2813578.
30. Kalloniatis M, Ly C. The role of optometry in collaborative eye care. Clin Exp Optom. 2016 May;99(3):201-3. doi: 10.1111/cxo.12403. Epub 2016 May 12. PMID: 27178759.
31. Hind J, Williams O, Oladiwura D, Macdonald E. The differences between patient and optometrist experiences of contact lens hygiene education from the perspective of a Scottish university teaching hospital. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020 Apr;43(2):185-188. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2019.07.006. Epub 2019 Jul 18. PMID: 31327578.
32. Zhou A, Goh AQY, Steinemann TL. Law and Order: The Regulation of Contact Lens Sales in the United States Today. Eye Contact Lens. 2023 Nov 1;49(11):447-448. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000001033. PMID: 37876278.
33. Sweeney D, Holden B, Evans K, Ng V, Cho P. Best practice contact lens care: a review of the Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care Summit. Clin Exp Optom. 2009 Mar;92(2):78-89. doi: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2009.00353.x. PMID: 19278458.
34. Morgan P. International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE): A successful global education model. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2021 Feb 1;44(1):14. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.12.046.
35. Gammoh Y, Moodley V. Situation analysis of optometric education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. East Mediterr Health J. 2023 Mar 26;29(3):170-176. doi: 10.26719/emhj.23.019. PMID: 36987622.
36. Mohamed Z, Alrasheed SH, Gammoh Y, Abdu M, Noushad B, Alshamli N, Alghamdi WM. Scope of optometry practice in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. East Mediterr Health J. 2025 May 29;31(5):325-331. doi: 10.26719/2025.31.5.325. PMID: 40552603.
37. Thomas JF. A vision for optometry in Oman. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2013 May;6(2):75-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-620X.116617. PMID: 24082662; PMCID: PMC3779418.
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