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Background: Many factors determine the success of wearing contact lens, including knowledge and compliance towards lens care. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and compliance between two groups of adult contact lens wearers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 60 participants aged 18-30 years old volunteered to participate in this study (30 participants prescribed contact lenses at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia [UKM] optometry clinic and 30 participants fitted at private practices). Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire consisting of nine questions on basic knowledge related to lens wear and 13 questions on compliance, categorised into questions on the cleaning process, disinfection, accessories care and replacement schedule. Results: All participants wore disposable contact lens 53.3% (n = 32) participants preferred using monthly disposable lenses. Both groups had the same level of knowledge, except knowledge of the effects of makeup (P < 0.000) and duration of the solution used for cleaning (P < 0.010), showing lack of knowledge on contact lenses among participants in private practices group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the level of compliance with the cleaning process (P = 0.830), disinfection (P = 0.725), accessories care (P = 0.865) and replacement schedule (P = 0.699). Conclusion: Participants from UKM optometry clinic had better knowledge on wearing contact lens; moreover, both groups had good compliance towards lens care. Contact lens practitioners should provide all the necessary information to contact lens wearers so that they are equipped to handle contact lenses correctly, which would minimise the risk of eye complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to explore the perceived benefit of Evidence-based practice (EBP) as teaching and learning approaches in undergraduate optometry program. The perceived benefit of EBP was measured using Taipei Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (TEBPQ). TEBPQ consists of 26 self-reported items, which include domains of 'Ask', 'Acquire", 'Appraisal', 'Apply' and 'Attitude'. The questionnaire was administered to two cohorts of Optometry students. Thirteen students in cohort 2018/2019 (new graduates) and 35 students in cohort 2019/2020 (ongoing training) completed the questionnaire. The highest score for students in cohort 2018/2019 was for 'Ask' domain (3.26±0.41) and the lowest score was for 'Apply' domain (3.05±0.57). The highest score for students in cohort 2019/2020 was for 'Ask' domain (3.22±0.35) and the lowest score is 'Appraisal' domain (3.02±0.41).However, twosamples Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference for all four domains in EBP between the two cohorts (p>0.05). 'Attitude' domain also showed no significant difference between the two cohorts (p>0.05). In this study, both cohorts of optometry students showed equal EBP related knowledge and they have good attitude towards the importance of EBP competencies in clinical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]