02342nas a2200193 4500000000100000008004100001260001700042100001400059700001500073700001300088700001300101700001700114245009300131250001500224300001000239490000700249520184600256020004602102 2011 d c2292888466591 aKeay Lisa1 aWillcox M.1 aEvans V.1 aCarnt N.1 aStapleton F.00aHigher risk taking propensity of contact lens wearers is associated with less compliance a2010/12/01 a202-60 v343 a

PURPOSE: To determine whether risk taking personality is associated with compliance in contact lens wear, and how practitioner perception of compliance compares with wearer risk taking and non-compliant behaviour. METHOD: Optometrists in Australia, recruited through professional organizations, were asked to enroll up to 10 current contact lens wearers each. Wearers completed a questionnaire assessing risk-taking propensity (20-item instrument), non-compliant behaviour and demographics. Non-compliance was scored on four components (maximum score 40, lens disinfection, 20; hand hygiene, 8; case hygiene, 6; case replacement, 6). Independently, practitioners ranked each wearer's non-compliance on a 1-5 scale. Associations between wearer risk taking propensity, non-compliant behaviour and practitioner perceived non-compliance were investigated using Pearson correlation. Significant associations were entered into a linear regression model predicting overall non-compliant behaviour. RESULTS: Seventy-three wearers were recruited by 18 optometrists (mean 4, range 1-10). Wearer risk taking was associated with less compliance (p<0.01) as was younger age (p<0.01) and male gender (p=0.02). Years of lens wear was not associated with non-compliant behaviour (p=0.8), nor was practitioner perception of compliance (p>0.6) Linear regression indicated that risk taking was the only independent significant factor predicting non-compliance, explaining 24% of the variation in behaviour. CONCLUSION: A higher risk taking personality style of contact lens wearers in Australia is associated with less compliant behaviour. Risk taking is a better predictor of compliance than age, gender and practitioner perception and helps explain the individual characteristics of wearers that may influence lens care and maintenance.

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