Patient pushback: Why some resist progressive addition lenses for presbyopia

To identify and assess various challenges and problems that presbyopia patients have when wearing progressive lenses. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. The study utilized a semi-structured questionnaire prepared specifically for the investigation. Faculty and specialists in the subject verified the questionnaire. The inclusion criteria include all presbyopia patients with normal general health, whether they are current spectacle wearers or non-spectacle users. A prepared questionnaire was used to conduct interviews with each respondent. The examiner thoroughly explained the structured questionnaire before administering it to participants. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: the respondent's demographic information, information on their present spectacles, including whether or not they used spectacles, the types of near correction, and the reasons they did not use progressive addition lenses. A total of 270 persons participated in this study, with 163 being male and 107 female. The study revealed that 43 participants, or 15.93%, used single vision glasses for near vision. Bifocals were utilized by 141 individuals, accounting for 52.22% of the total, a significant amount. Progressive addition lenses (PALs) were utilized by 52 participants, making up 19.26%. Furthermore, despite having presbyopia, 34 subjects (12.59%) did not use glasses for close vision. We found that 176 participants, or 65.19%, were aware of progressive addition lenses. In contrast, 94 participants, making up 34.81%, were not aware of progressive addition lenses. Out of the participants who did not use progressive addition lenses, 94 individuals (34.81%) cited lack of awareness about PALs as the reason. Additionally, 43 participants (15.93%) mentioned longer adaption times as a deterrent. Presbyopia patient’s impressions of progressive lenses are multidimensional, reflecting both the benefits and drawbacks of using them. According to our findings, while many patients appreciate the smooth vision correction provided by progressive lenses, a lack of awareness and initial adaptation might be significant impediments to adoption.