Sex Differences in Preferred Under-Correction of Contact Lenses and Their Potential Relevance to Presbyopia Management.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine sex differences in preferred refraction for presbyopic correction in daily life, determined by the power of prescribed contact lenses.

Patients and methods: Near add power and preferred contact lens power were examined in participants aged from 20 to 79 years who were divided into three age groups (20-39, 40-59, and 60-79 years). The difference (Δ) in lens power (preferred corrective power of contact lens - full correction power) was compared between both sexes in each age group. Regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between Δ lens power and ocular parameters.

Results: A total of 768 men and 2314 women were enrolled in the study. Sex differences were prominent in the 40-59 year age group; namely Δ lens power was larger (P < 0.05) and visual acuity with contact lenses was lower in women than men (P < 0.05), whilst astigmatic errors and anisometropia were greater in men than women. Mean near add power was similar between both sexes in all age groups. Ocular surface parameters were worse in women compared with men, except for the Shirmer test. The results of regression analyses indicated that Δ lens power for women was associated with myopic spherical equivalent, astigmatic errors, anisometropia, near add power, contact lens power, and visual acuity with contact lenses. For men, Δ lens power was associated with myopic spherical equivalent, astigmatic errors, visual acuity with contact lenses, and tear break-up time. Age was not a significant factor for either sex.

Conclusion: The current results revealed sex differences in the preferred power of contact lenses for presbyopic correction for optimal daily living. The magnitude of under-correction was significantly greater in women than men aged 40 to 59 years.