Factors influencing the need and willingness for presbyopic correction – A cross sectional study from south India

Abstract

Abstract Background: Presbyopia is an age-related physiological phenomenon in which eye gradually losses its ability to accommodate. It is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide, especially in adults above the age of 40. If uncorrected it can significantly impair patient's quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the factors which affects patient’s need and willingness to accept presbyopic correction. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was done in semiurban tertiary hospital from Jan 2021 to June 2022. Details of patients aged 40 and above who presented to OPD like whether their chief complaints were related to presbyopia or not, history of spectacle use, systemic diseases, medications and their decision regarding near vision correction were noted. Ophthalmic examination included refraction and ocular biometry. Factors that may have influenced complaints of presbyopia or willingness to accept presbyopic correction were analysed. Results: Patients with chronic ailments and on chronic medication (p=0.01), higher educational qualification (p=0.031), hypermetropia (p=0.021) and shallower AC depth (p=0.028) were more likely to present with chief complaints attributable to presbyopia. Patients who had chief complains related to presbyopia, those with higher educational qualifications (p = 0.02) and skilled workers were more likely to accept near vision glasses (p = 0.02), while those with lower Hb (p = 0.01) and myopia (p = 0.01) were less likely to accept correction for presbyopia. In patients without chief complaints related to presbyopia and were not willing to accept near vision glasses. Among them, those with higher BMI (p = 0.04) and hypermetropes (p=0.05) were more willing to accept presbyopic correction. Conclusion: Presbyopia constitutes a significant reason for patients above the age of 40 visiting eye care facility. Multiple socio-economic, systemic and ocular factors influenced both the chief complaints related to presbyopia and willingness to accept presbyopic correction.