[Variables related to the first presbyopia correction].

PURPOSE

We carried out a prospective study based on variables related to the age of appearance of presbyopia (AAP): refraction defect, sex, iris color, profession and pupil diameter.

METHOD

Our sample population was made up of 179 persons who present consecutively for the first optical correction of presbyopia as sole reason, having a refractive defect equal to 1 diopter or less.

RESULTS

In our series the AAP was not influenced by the small refraction defect, neither by sex or iris color. Different professions showed a significant AAP difference later in life (farmers, x = 51.76 D.E. 5.47 years) or earlier (services workers, x = 46.15 D.E. 3.55 years) (p<0.000003, ANOVA), than other professions such as housewife (48.42 D.E. 4.71 years) and construction workers (47.54 D.E. 3.93 years). We found significant differences in AAP among subjects with intense miosis (<2,5 mm, x = 51 D.E. 5.39 years) and without miosis (3 to 7 mm, x = 47.47 D.E. 4.71 years) (p<0.02 t Student).

CONCLUSIONS

The variables which determine a significant delay in the AAP are: profession (farmer and housewife) and miosis, a 1 mm pupilar diameter reduction, in near vision, could contribute to a delay of 1.53 years in AAP.