LEVEL OF COMFORT IN NEAR WORK WITH AND WITH OUT GLASSES IN RELATION TO AMOUNT OF MYOPIA

Abstract

Objectives: To find the effect of degree of myopia on reading distance and to compare the comfort level in normal adults at near with and without myopic correction. Method: It was comparative cross sectional study, conducted on three hundred and fifty eight myopes having different degree of myopia aged between 15 to 60 years. Comfort level at near with and without spectacles in different degree of myopia was assessed by filling a self-structured proforma and questionnaire. Results: Sixty five percent of all mild myopic spent most of their time while 51% of all subjects having moderate and 72% of all having severe myopia spent <2  hours during near work without glasses.  Majority of subjects with mild, moderate and severe degree of myopia had 40cm, 25cm and less than 25cm working distance respectively. 70% of all mild myopic were not having headach while 37% of all with moderate very often and 72% of all individuals having severe myopia were suffering from headache without glasses during near work.  80% of all mild myopic, 37% with moderate myopia were not having, while 81% of all individuals with severe myopia were suffering from eyestrain without glasses at 33cm. 80% of all mild myopic had no difficulty while 47% of all moderate myopes and 89% of all with severe myopia had difficulty in focusing near objects without spectacles, p value of all results is .001. Conclusion: It is concluded that mild myopes are more comfortable without glasses while individuals with severe myopia are more comfortable with glasses at near (33cm).On the other hand moderate myopes use their spectacles during close work depending upon habituation and degree of myopia. All individuals with moderate and severe degree of myopia adapt shorter working distance than mild myopic individuals without glasses. Key words: Degree of myopia, comfort level, near work, working distance.