Presbyopic correction relying solely on a conventional 40 cm working distance may miss the mark on real-world smartphone usage, researchers have found.
A study, published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics,1 found corrected presbyopes used a larger font, held their smartphones further away, and read more slowly than nonpresbyopes. Neck posture did not differ between the two groups, however.
For optometrists, the results support asking patients about device-specific working distances, font preferences, and reading tasks when prescribing presbyopic correction.
… prescribers should consider the specific visual tasks an individual engages in when prescribing presbyopic correction, rather than relying solely on the conventional 40 cm near working distance
“These findings highlight the additional visual demands experienced by corrected presbyopes during near digital tasks,” the study authors wrote.
“Therefore, prescribers should consider the specific visual tasks an individual engages in when prescribing presbyopic correction, rather than relying solely on the conventional 40 cm near working distance, as real-world smartphone usage may require different accommodative and ergonomic considerations,” they concluded.
Reference
- Abraham CH, Osman A, Morny E, et al. Smartphone near-viewing demands differ in corrected presbyopes: implication for presbyopic correction. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. Published online first, 12 Aug 2026. doi: 10.1007/s44402-026-00168-3.
