Personality Traits and Failure in Wearing Contact Lenses

Many factors are related to a patient's success in wearing contact lenses. Little is known about one important factor ‐ the patient's personality. This study was designed to determine if the personalities of prospective contact lens patients differ from those of patients seeking spectacle lenses and if certain personality traits were associated with failure in wearing contact lenses. The subjects of the study were two groups of 61 patients at the University of California School of Optometry. One group of patients was seeking spectacle lenses, while the other group sought contact lenses. The personality characteristics of each patient were assessed using the Adjective Check List, a self‐administered personality inventory. No differences were found in the personality traits of those seeking spectacles and those seeking contact lenses. After the contact lens patients adapted to their lenses, patient success was evaluated. The successful patients were compared with the unsuccessful patients on the basis of their response to the Adjective Check List. Unsuccessful female patients were more likely to be less aggressive and less self‐confident than the successful female patients.