Women Prefer Contact Lens Under-Correction
Clinic-based study suggests sex differences in preferred contact lens under-correction during presbyopia management
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By
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Julie Greenbaum
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March 11, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Women Prefer Contact Lens Under-Correction
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Contact Lens Power Preference |
| Key Mechanisms | Under-correction of contact lens power to improve near vision while maintaining acceptable distance vision. |
| Target Population | Patients aged 20 to 79 years, with a focus on women aged 40 to 59 years. |
| Care Setting | Eye clinic |
Key Highlights
- Women aged 40 to 59 years preferred greater under-correction than men of the same age.
- Mean Δ lens power was 0.41 diopters in women vs 0.34 diopters in men.
- Near addition requirements were similar between sexes across all age groups.
- Women exhibited worse ocular surface parameters compared to men.
- Regression analyses identified sex-specific factors associated with under-correction.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Assess habitual contact lens prescriptions and visual acuity.
Management
- Consider under-correction strategies for improving near vision in women.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Monitor visual acuity and ocular surface parameters regularly.
Risks
- Potential for detection bias due to unequal sex representation in the study.
Patient & Prescribing Data
3,082 patients aged 20 to 79 years, predominantly women.
Under-correction may enhance comfort and visual performance in daily activities.
Clinical Best Practices
- Evaluate individual patient needs for contact lens power adjustments.
- Incorporate patient feedback on visual comfort when prescribing lenses.
References
