Awareness of complications of contact lenses in medical students

Purpose: to assess the awareness of complications of contact lens wear in medical students methods: this is a cross sectional descriptive study. all 71 students of new first year mbbs class of mohterma benazir bhutto shaheed medical college were enquired about the awareness of complications of contact lens. results: all 71 students present in the class (total strength 75) completed the questionnaire. average age was 18.25 years. 42 were female and 29 were male. except allergy,78.8% of students did not know the complications of contact lens. more than 80% of the students knew that the complication could be serious and could lead to loss of vision. majority of the students thought that the contact lens is not worth wearing. 52.1% would not recommend to others. regarding the source of their information,majority replied friends and family (78.8%),internet and media (53.5%) and lastly eye care provider. conclusion: significant number of students did not know about the risk factors and complications associated with contact lens use. hence more effective strategies need to evolve to make young people aware of contact lens care,handling and complications.