To analyze sex differences in preferred contact lens power under-correction among patients aged 20 to 79 years, highlighting the clinical significance of these differences.
Approach:
Key Findings:
Women aged 40 to 59 years preferred greater under-correction (0.41 diopters) compared to men (0.34 diopters), which may affect visual comfort.
Near addition requirements were similar between sexes across all age groups, indicating consistent visual needs.
Men had greater astigmatic error and anisometropia than women in the 40 to 59 age group, which could influence lens selection.
Ocular surface parameters were generally worse in women, except for the Schirmer test, suggesting a need for targeted interventions.
Interpretation:
The study indicates significant sex differences in preferred contact lens power under-correction, particularly in women aged 40 to 59 years, suggesting a need for tailored approaches in contact lens prescriptions to enhance patient satisfaction.
Limitations:
Retrospective design and single clinic population may limit generalizability, potentially affecting the applicability of findings.
Lack of objective measurements of accommodation and lifestyle factors may overlook important influences on visual demands.
Detection bias due to unequal sample sizes between sexes could skew results, although the sample size for men remains sufficient for statistical analysis.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight that women prefer greater under-correction in contact lenses than men, particularly in the 40 to 59 age group, which may influence clinical practices in optometry and necessitate individualized patient care.
Susan Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Dipl AAO, and Clark Chang, OD, FAAO, FSLS, reviewed the latest developments in diagnosis, imaging, contact lenses, corneal cross-linking (CXL), and surgical management for KC.
