Knowledge and Practice of Refractive Error Correction in Medical Students of National Defence University of Malaysia

Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of refractive error correction (spectacles and contact lenses) in medical students of National Defence University of Malaysia using a survey questionnaire.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted among the medical students from first to fifth year. The questionnaire gathered socio-demographic information, knowledge about refractive errors, methods of vision improvement, as well as knowledge and usage of spectacles and contact lenses. The questionnaire was administered after obtaining written consent. SPSS version 24 software was used for data analysis, calculating frequencies for all variables.

Results: Out of 205 participating medical students, the majority were male (59.5%), Malays (65.9%), and military cadets (74.1%). While 63.7% were aware of refractive errors, only 51.7% knew about treatment options. Of the respondents, 36.3% wore glasses, with only 8% aware of alternatives like contact lenses and laser treatment. Family history indicated 41 families with a history of wearing glasses, and 15.1% knew about lazy eye. Notably, 45.2% preferred spectacles, while 20.5% opted for contact lenses. Among contact lens users (10.9%), 63.6% were aware of associated complications, and 86.4% practiced handwashing. However, only 68.2% cleaned their lenses with prescribed solutions. A subset (22.7%) admitted to sleeping with lenses, and 59.9% discontinued use of contact lenses after eye problems. Reasons for using contact lenses included comfort during military training, outdoor activities, and sports. Factors influencing choice of contact lenses included comfort, cost, ease of maintenance, and cosmetic purposes.

Conclusion: The study highlighted that 36% of medical students wore spectacles, with 11% using contact lenses. While students displayed good knowledge of refractive errors, awareness of treatment options was lacking. Knowledge about contact lenses was generally good, but improper care and compliance were prevalent, posing risks of complications. The findings underscore the importance of education and communication to enhance compliance and mitigate contact lens-related complications in the student population.