The effects of wearing corrective lenses for presbyopia on distance vision

The possibility of patient behaviour concerning the wearing of reading spectacles influencing the magnitude and rate of change in distance vision has been hypothesised but not fully examined. This study examined the changes in distance vision over time of 674 presbyopic patients between the ages of 44 and 69 who came to their eye professional needing reading spectacles. Prior to this study, these patients had never worn spectacles. The majority of patients opted for full-eye (complete) reading spectacles and 150 patients selected bifocals. It was found that patients wearing complete reading spectacles eventually adapted to wearing their reading spectacles for intermediate or distance work. Through X2, it was found that there were significant differences in the reduction of distance visual acuity between groups based on the amount of time spent wearing reading spectacles for intermediate or distance work. The greater the number of hours spent wearing reading spectacles and viewing beyond their focal point, the greater the change in distance visual acuity. It also appeared to affect the degree of change in their prescription. Age was not significantly related.