Gender Differences In Patient Reported Outcomes And Health-Related Quality Of Life After Laser Scleral Microporation For Presbyopia

To assess gender differences using Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) of satisfaction of visual function for near activities following Laser Scleral Microporation (LSM) therapy for the recovery of Dynamic Range of Focus (DRoF). Presbyopic patients were followed up to 24 months post-treatment. (302/750)

Pilot Clinical Study, Asian Eye Institute, Philippines  

Prospective pilot clinical trial of 94 eyes of 47 emmetropic presbyopic patients (mean age 52.8 ± 4.0 years) demonstrating presbyopia defined as DCNVA at 40cm ≥ 20/50 and requiring a reading add power of +1.75D or more.  UDVA was 20/40 or better in eyes free of ocular anomalies. Thirty-two females and 15 males were enrolled.  All subjects underwent bilateral LSM therapy to treat emmetropic presbyopia. The standardized Near Activity Visual Questionnaire (NAVQ), a standardized questionnaire, was used to assess near visual function before LSM therapy at baseline and post-LSM at one week, one month, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.    

Data analysis at 24 months after LSM showed female Rasch Scores dropped significantly from 65.2 at baseline to 41.8 (p < 0.005), indicating a statistically significant improvement in the ability to perform near vision activities up to 24 months after LSM. Males also demonstrated improvement from 64.8 at baseline to 30.7 at 24 months. (P=0.0001)  Men were slightly more satisfied than women at all post-operative postoperative visits.

The NAVQ demonstrated LSM’s positive impact on tasks requiring near vision. The PROM indicated high patient satisfaction in presbyopic emmetropes, with males showing greater satisfaction than females. Understanding gender differences in patient satisfaction is needed to best manage patient expectations.