Sleep and subjective happiness between the ages 40 and 59 in relation to presbyopia and dry eye

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the status of quality of life between the ages 40–59 in relation to presbyopia and dry eye. METHODS: Near add power and preferred contact lens power were examined in 219 participants at three clinics. 2000 participants completed a web-based survey on presbyopic symptoms, symptomatic dry eye, sleep quality, and subjective happiness. RESULTS: Mean preferred corrected visual acuity was less than 20/20 in women (vs men, P<0.01) who were more often prescribed under-corrected contact lenses, whereas men preferred full correction. According to the annual progression rate of near add power in men (0.1468D/year), the estimated difference in presbyopia progression between men and women was 0.75 years in the right eye, and 1.69 years in the left eye, implying men might suffer presbyopia earlier than women due to higher myopic power of daily use contact lenses. The web-based survey revealed that men reported lower subjective happiness than women (P<0.001) and earlier onset of presbyopic symptoms by 1.1–1.7 years (P<0.05). Men received their first reading glasses 0.8 years earlier than women (P = 0.066). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that awareness of presbyopic symptoms, visual burden, and dry eyes were significantly correlated with poor sleep quality and subjective happiness. CONCLUSION: Presbyopia and dry eye were significantly associated with sleep quality and subjective happiness in middle-adulthood.