The comparison of contact lens wear clinical symptoms between different modality of lenses

Background: Dry eye is a common reason for discomfort and discontinuation among soft contact lens (SCL) wearers. This study compared the frequency and intensity of contact-lens–related symptoms between disposable and conventional SCL wearers in Kuantan, Malaysia. Methods: This crosssectional study recruited thirty-two SCL wearers aged 18–37 years during routine aftercare visits at an optometry clinic. Participants were categorized into disposable (n = 16) and conventional (n = 16) SCL groups based on their optometrist-prescribed lens modality. The Women’s Health Study Questionnaire (WHSQ) served as a preliminary screening, followed by the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire–8 (CLDEQ-8) to assess symptom frequency and intensity. Results: Mann–Whitney U tests showed no significant differences between disposable and conventional lens wearers for the frequency or intensity of dryness, discomfort or blurry vision (all p-values > 0.05). Dryness was the most frequent symptom, while discomfort showed the highest intensity. Spearman correlation analyses demonstrated strong associations between symptom frequency and intensity, particularly for dryness (rs = 0.882, p < 0.001), followed by discomfort (rs = 0.449, p = 0.013) and blurry vision (rs = 0.520, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Dryness, discomfort and blurry vision remain prevalent among SCL wearers. The strong correlation between symptom frequency and intensity highlights the need for routine symptom monitoring during aftercare visits to improve patient comfort and compliance.