Distance spectacle‐wearing habits in older patients in England

Abstract

PurposeTo report the proportion of older people in England who wear distance spectacles full time, part time and rarely, and to investigate factors that influence how much the distance vision (DV) correction is worn.MethodsA two‐part questionnaire investigating the spectacle‐wearing habits of older people was developed and completed by 322 participants (age 72 years ±7.7, range 60–94). A subcohort of 209 DV correction wearers with a mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of <±4.00DS was selected for a logistic regression to investigate which factors influence how much the DV correction is used.ResultsIn total, 43% of emmetropic, and 55% of pseudophakic, DV spectacle wearers wear their correction full time. Lens type, MSE and the age that participants first wore a DV correction significantly predicted DV correction wearing habit (adjusted R2 = 0.36), with lens type being the strongest predicting factor and progressive users wearing their spectacles 37% more than those using single vision lenses.ConclusionsMany patients appear to consider convenience more important than being spectacle independent at distance, with lens type the most significant influencing factor of how much those with low/moderate refractive error wear their distance correction. Many emmetropes and pseudophakes choose to wear their progressive or bifocal spectacles full time, and the emmetropia provided by cataract surgery does not provide independence from full‐time spectacle wear for many patients. The optometrist has a key role in discussing both choice of spectacle lens correction and the refractive outcome options of cataract surgery with patients.