Prospective clinical study to find out epidemiology of presbyopia in a prepresbyopic population (age group 34–40 years)

Abstract

Background: Several studies have been carried out regarding the epidemiology of presbyopia at or after 40 years of age. Now a day we find the need of presbyopic glasses before the age of 40 years, so we plan this study in pre-presbyopic age group. Aim: To find out epidemiology of presbyopia in a pre-presbyopic age group (age 34-40 years). Settings and Design: A prospective clinical study was done on two thousand two hundred and ninety-six patients at two tertiary care centres in India. Duration of study was three years and eight months. Materials and Methods: The degree of presbyopia was determined as minimum amount of plus lens needed to achieve maximum improvement in lines read to the end point (N8). Patients were divided in 3 groups, group 1 (age 34-36), group 2 (age 36-38) and in group 3 (age 38-< 40). A detailed epidemiological profile and systemic history were noted in the prescribed Performa. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was analyzed by SPSS software 16. Results: Maximum (43.7%) number of patients was in group 3.In the study females predominated over males and maximum (51.9%) patients were from middle socioeconomic status. We found that 53.6 % were from urban area. 39.6 % patients had accepted that near vision problem affected their daily work efficiency and quality of life. Conclusion: This study shows occurrence of presbyopia in pre-presbyopic age group. So we recommend patients should be screened and treated before the age of 40 years for presbyopia to reduce burden of avoidable visual impairments and for improvement in quality of life.

Keywords

• Epidemiology
• North India
• premature presbyopia