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What Is the Dropout Rate for Contact Lens Wearers?

The "dropout rate" refers to the percentage of people who stop wearing contact lenses and return to glasses. Industry data consistently shows that approximately 15% to 20% of all contact lens wearers drop out of the category every year. This high turnover rate is known as the "leaky bucket" phenomenon in eye care. While millions of new patients start wearing contacts annually, nearly the same number stop wearing them, keeping the total global user base relatively flat.

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What Is the Dropout Rate for Contact Lens Wearers?

The "dropout rate" refers to the percentage of people who stop wearing contact lenses and return to glasses. Industry data consistently shows that approximately 15% to 20% of all contact lens wearers drop out of the category every year. This high turnover rate is known as the "leaky bucket" phenomenon in eye care. While millions of new patients start wearing contacts annually, nearly the same number stop wearing them, keeping the total global user base relatively flat.

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The #1 Reason: Discomfort and Dryness

Research indicates that discomfort is the single leading cause of discontinuation, accounting for about 50% of all dropouts. Specifically, patients report "end-of-day dryness" where the lens feels gritty or sandy after 8 to 10 hours of wear. The lens absorbs moisture from the tear film, leaving the eye surface dry. Many patients assume this is normal and simply stop wearing the lenses rather than asking their doctor for a solution.

The "First 60 Days" Danger Zone

New wearers are at the highest risk of quitting. Statistics show that a significant portion of dropouts occur within the first 2 months of the fitting. For these new patients, the main hurdles are often handling issues (struggling to insert or remove the lens) and poor vision quality. If a patient takes 20 minutes to put a lens in during the morning rush, they are statistically likely to abandon the process within a few weeks.

Presbyopia and the Age 40 Drop

Another major spike in dropout occurs after age 40 due to presbyopia (loss of near vision). As reading becomes difficult, patients must switch to multifocal contacts or monovision. These complex lenses often require a compromise in visual sharpness compared to glasses. Data suggests that many patients in this demographic drop out because they feel the visual quality of the contacts does not justify the cost or the dryness that naturally increases with age.

Impact of Lens Material (Hydrogel vs. Silicone)

The type of plastic matters. Older hydrogel materials rely on water content to transmit oxygen, which can dehydrate the eye. Newer silicone hydrogel lenses allow oxygen to pass through the plastic itself, requiring less water. Studies show that switching patients to daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses can significantly reduce the dropout rate by improving comfort and eliminating the need for cleaning solutions, which can contain preservatives that irritate the eye.

FAQs on Lens Dropout

Can I try again if I failed before?

Yes. Lens technology changes rapidly. If you dropped out 5 years ago due to dryness, new "water gradient" lenses or daily disposables may solve the problem that caused you to quit.

Is cost a major factor?

Surprisingly, no. Surveys show that cost is rarely the primary reason for dropout. Patients are generally willing to pay for lenses if they are comfortable and provide clear vision. They stop paying when the product hurts or fails to perform.

Does LASIK cause the dropout?

Only partially. While some patients stop wearing contacts to get laser surgery, the majority of dropouts return to wearing glasses, not surgery.

When to See Your Eye Doctor

If you are thinking about quitting your contacts, do not just stop ordering them. Schedule a visit with your doctor specifically to discuss "contact lens discomfort." There are dozens of lens brands with different shapes, moisture contents, and breathing capabilities. Trying a different brand or switching to a daily disposable often fixes the issue that is driving you to quit.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24742728/

https://www.clspectrum.com/issues/2020/august-2020/dropping-the-dropout-rate

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/the-dropout-dilemma

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6371727/