Contact lens-related
eye infections, which can lead to serious outcomes, including
blindness, are associated with several risk factors, including sleeping in
lenses, exposing
lenses to water, not adhering to replacement schedules, and reusing disinfecting
solution (1). In some studies, adolescent and young adult
contact lens wearers have been reported to be more likely than older adult
contact lens wearers to develop
eye infections (2,3) and more likely to have poor
contact lens hygiene practices (2). In 2015, CDC reported the number and demographics of adult
contact lens wearers in the United States to define the population at risk for
contact lens-related
eye infections (4); however, this estimate did not include adolescents. To better understand this group of younger
contact lens wearers and guide prevention efforts, a population-based survey was used to assess
contact lens wear, care behaviors, risk factors, and demographics among persons aged 12-17 years (referred to as adolescents in this report), young adults aged 18-24 years, and older adults aged ≥25 years in the United States. In 2016, an estimated 3.6 million adolescents (14.5%) wore
contact lenses. Of the adolescents who wore
contact lenses, 85% reported at least one behavior that put them at risk for a
contact lens-related
eye infection, compared with 81% of young adults, and 88% of older adults. These findings can inform the creation of age-specific targeted prevention messages aimed at
contact lens wearers and establish a baseline for evaluating trends in
contact lens wear, care habits, and
contact lens-related risk behaviors.