Contact lens practice in Hong Kong

This survey represents an initial examination of contact lens practice in Hong Kong. It is based on a questionnaire survey of a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong. The results bear out anecdotal observations such as the prevalence of soft lens fitting (spherical, daily wear soft lenses comprising 78 per cent of all contact lenses fitted) and the prominence of optical shops in the supply of contact lenses (69.7 per cent of the responding practices were of the ‘optical shop’ type premises). There was limited usage only of contact lenses for high astigmatism, aphakia or presbyopia. This low usage of speciality lenses may reflect the relative immaturity of the optometric profession in Hong Kong. One of the striking characteristics of Hong Kong is the rapidity of economic and social change. This is especially so in optometry now. In 1990‐91 the Hong Kong Polytechnic has initiated a degree course in optometry and this coincides with the anticipated introduction of legislation to regulate the profession. It is intended that this survey should be a starting point for regular, comprehensive overviews of contact lens practice in Hong Kong.