Women in midlife show larger differences between preferred and full refractive correction

Women aged 40–59 years tend to prefer a greater degree of under-correction in their contact lens prescriptions for presbyopia than men, according to a study.

Researchers evaluated near add power and preferred contact lens power in 3,082 participants, including 768 men and 2,314 women. Participants were divided into 3 age groups (20–39, 40–59, and 60–79 years). Investigators calculated the difference (Δ lens power) between the preferred corrective power of contact lenses and the power required for full refractive correction.

Sex-related differences were most evident in the 40–59-year age group. In this group, Δ lens power was significantly larger in women than in men (P < 0.05), and visual acuity with contact lenses was lower in women (P < 0.05). Men in the same age range showed greater astigmatic errors and anisometropia than women. Mean near add power did not differ between sexes across any age group.

Ocular surface parameters were generally worse in women than in men, except for the Shirmer test. Regression analysis showed that Δ lens power in women was associated with myopic spherical equivalent, astigmatic errors, anisometropia, near add power, contact lens power, and visual acuity with contact lenses. In men, Δ lens power was associated with myopic spherical equivalent, astigmatic errors, visual acuity with contact lenses, and tear break-up time. Age was not identified as a significant factor for either sex.

Reference
Ayaki M, Hanyuda A, Negishi K. Sex Differences in Preferred Under-Correction of Contact Lenses and Their Potential Relevance to Presbyopia Management. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2026;18:575883. doi: 10.2147/OPTO.S575883. PMID: 41788900; PMCID: PMC12956865.