Physiology of aging and its influence on the contact lens prescription.

The normal progressive physiological and visual effects of aging and its influence on the ability of contact lenses to provide ametropic correction is examined in this article. Of primary significance is the aging eye's perceptual ability especially in the mesopic range of vision. In addition, a recap of current available techniques is included for correction of presbyopia with contact lenses from the perspective of prescribing for an aging patient--not merely a patient who has lost only the ability to accommodate. One of the hallmarks of the profession of optometry has been its traditional support of the premise that patients should be provided with the best possible optical correction. While there are presbyopic patients who can achieve satisfactory vision via the contact lens modalities now in use, the physiological influences discussed here have been generally ignored by the profession. A redefinition of the criteria indicating patient "success" has evolved from achieving satisfaction through excellent vision derived from the optimum optical correction, to satisfaction obtained through patient selection and indoctrination to wear an optically inferior device. Unless the physiological, visual, and psychological effects of aging are adequately compensated by future contact lens designs, most elderly patients will remain likely to return to spectacles as the deficiencies of contact lens correction become progressively more apparent to them.