Hong Kong Workers’ Long-hour Wear of Contact Lenses In Relations To Corneal Oxygen Deficiency Survey Presenter : Dr. Robert Chung (Director of Public Opinion Programme, the University of Hong Kong) July 12, 2005

Survey Overview Survey ObjectiveTo understand the COD condition of Hong Kong workers as a result of long-hour wear of contact lenses and their knowledge and attitude on COD. Survey PeriodJune 10 – 15, 2005 MethodologyTelephone interviews conducted by interviewers TargetsCantonese-speaking full time workers, aged 25-44, who have worn contact lenses in the past 12 months Conducted ByPublic Opinion Programme, The University of Hong Kong Successful Samples 509 Response Rate 88.9% (based on qualified targets ） Sample ErrorLess than 2.2%

Respondents’ Profile

Gender Valid samples ： 509 Female Male

Age Valid samples ： 509

Occupation Valid samples ： 502

Monthly Personal Income Valid samples ： 456

Education Level Valid samples ： 500

Survey Findings

35% Interviewees Have To Work At least 10 Hours A Day Valid samples ： 509 Question ： On average how many hours do you have to work per day? Mean: 9.2 hours (Standard deviation: 0.06 hours) Mean: 9.2 hours (Standard deviation: 0.06 hours)

30% Interviewees Have to Wear Contact Lenses For Work For At Least 10 Hours A Day Valid samples ： 509 Question ： On average how many hours do you need to wear contact lenses for work in a day ? Mean: 8.1 hours (Standard deviation: 0.14 hours) Mean: 8.1 hours (Standard deviation: 0.14 hours)

75% Interviewees Wear Contact Lenses For The Sake of Convenience During Work or Exercise Valid samples ： 508 Question ： Why do you have to wear contact lenses for so many hours ？

72% Interviewees Are Wearing Disposable Contact Lenses Valid samples ： 508 Question ： What type of contact lenses are you wearing ？

The Corneal Health of Hong Kong Workers Wearing Contact Lenses for Long Hours

Over 60% Interviewees Have Experienced COD Symptoms Due To long-hour Wear of Contact Lenses Dried Eyes, Weary Eyes & Blood Shot Eyes Valid samples ： 509 Question ： Have you experienced the following conditions as a result of wearing contact lenses for long hours ？

Only 12% Interviewees Know That COD is a Main Reason For Those Eye Discomforts Question ： What are the key reasons for all the eye discomforts ？ Valid samples ： 504

Valid samples ： 507 About 50% Interviewees Use Eyes-drops to Resolve Their COD Symptoms Q ： What will you do to sooth your eyes’ discomforts as a result of long-hours of wear contact lens?

84% Interviewees Have Napped In With the Contact Lenses Before Yes Valid samples ： 509 No Question ： Have you ever slept or napped in with contact lenses ？

Valid samples ： 422 Common COD Symptoms After Napping In With Contact Lenses ： Dried Eyes, Blurry Vision, Irritated Eyes, Tired Eyes, Blood- Shot Eyes

Hong Kong Workers’ Knowledge and Attitude Towards Corneal Oxygen Deficiency

67% Interviewees Said They Know About “Corneal Oxygen Deficiency” (COD) Yes Valid samples ： 509 No Question ： Do you know “Corneal Oxygen Deficiency” ？ Don’t know/Difficult to say

Valid samples ： % Do Not Know The Symptoms of Corneal Oxygen Deficiency (COD) Q ： Do you know the symptoms of COD ？ [Only those who have heard about COD] For Those Who Said They Know About COD

9% Misunderstand the Causes of COD Valid samples ： 341 Q ： Do you know the cause for COD [For those who have heard about COD] For Those Who Said They Know About COD

Only 25% Interviewees Are Aware of the Availability of High Oxygen Permeable Lenses Know Valid samples ： 509 Q ： Do you know any high oxygen permeable contact lenses made of a new material called Silicone Hydrogel are available now? Don’t know Difficult to say

Valid samples ： % Interviewees Agree Wearing Contact Lenses For Long Hours Is Unhealthy For Eyes Q ： I consider wearing contact lenses for long hours is unhealthy for my eyes

Valid samples ： 507 Q ： I care about the potential problems of corneal oxygen deficiency as a result of wearing contact lenses for long hours 84% Interviewees Are Concerned About COD As A Result of Long Hours of Wearing Contact Lenses

Valid samples ： % Interviewees Opt For High Oxygen Permeable Lenses For Preventing COD Q ： I will choose high oxygen permeable contact lenses in order to prevent COD

Valid samples ： 505 Q ： I consider high oxygen permeable contact lens will become the new standard for choosing contact lenses 77% Interviewees Consider High Oxygen Permeable Lenses Will Become The New Standard for Choosing Contact Lenses

Valid samples ： 507 Q ： I believe wearing high oxygen permeable contact lenses will help me prevent COD problems and thus maintain work efficiency 71% Interviewees Agree Wearing High Oxygen Permeable Lenses Will Help Prevent COD & Thus Help Maintain Work Efficiency

Valid samples ： 506 Q ： I believe wearing high oxygen permeable contact lenses will help prevent COD problems and thus keeps my eyes healthy and shining 74% Interviewees Agree Wearing High Oxygen Permeable Lenses Will Help Prevent COD & Thus Keep Eyes Healthy & Bright

Valid samples ： 504 Q ： I believe high oxygen permeable contact lenses will facilitate long hour wear, even while I am sleeping or napping 35% Interviewees Agree High Oxygen Permeable Lenses Will Facilitate Long-Hour Wear, Even While Sleeping or Napping

Summary

Hong Kong Workers Have Experienced COD Symptoms As A Result of Long-Hour Wear of Contact Lenses With long working hours in Hong Kong, many work-savvy workers wear contact lens for long hours. 30% interviewees have to wear contact lenses for work for at least 10 hours a day. 70% of them have experienced the following COD symptoms: eyes dry out, eyes feel tired, eyes get red. 84% have napped in with the contact lenses before. Workers will find ways to sooth their eyes’ discomforts. They will put eye drops (47%), take off the lenses and change to ordinary glasses (22%), take off the lenses and rest for a while (20%), close their eyes (10%), take off the lenses and cleanse and put them on again (5%).

Conclusions The findings of the survey is a manifestation of how most Hong Kong full time workers seek to remain comfortable in order to maintain efficiency. In this highly competitive environment, many workers work extensive hours while wearing contact lens, so they should care more about COD, as many of them might be experiencing COD symptoms without being fully aware of it. However, they lack the knowledge of the root cause of their eye problems and are obviously using the wrong methods to rectify. Ideally, they should try to consult their ophthalmologist or optometrists for professional advice.