Italian contact lens practitioners’ perspective on providing and adapting contact lens practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: In Italy, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, optical practices were partially closed during the first lockdown. When practices fully reopened there were changes in the way contact lens (CL) clinical practice was conducted. This study investigates the opinions of CL practitioners (CLPs) at the end of lockdown about the changes they implemented. Methods: An online survey was conducted amongst Italian CLPs after the first lockdown had ended. The anonymised questionnaire included details of demographics, clinical practice, implementation of personal protective measures and reasons for continuing or ceasing to undertake new CL fittings or aftercare visits after lockdown. Results: A total of 104 CLPs completed the questionnaire. Practitioners reported an average reduction of new CL fittings (24.8%) and aftercare visits (17.9%) compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Of the protective measures tested, the use of facemasks and an increased frequency of disinfection of instruments and working spaces were implemented more frequently; these measures were correlated with a lower level of reduction in new fittings and aftercare visits (all P < 0.001). ‘The importance of CLs to patients’ and the ‘professional duty to guarantee access to the service’ were the most important reasons for continuing to conduct new CL fittings and aftercare visits, whilst lack of demand and severity of COVID-19 were the main deterrents against conducting CL practice. In addition, the opportunity to reinforce compliance during aftercare visits was given high importance. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the frequency of new CL fittings and aftercare visits following lockdown. CLPs acknowledged the importance of CLs for patients and their role in providing access to CLs, even during the challenging circumstances of the pandemic,