Refraction and interpupillary distance measurements of adult Icelanders with special reference to presbyopes possible use of supermarket standard spectacles.
In Iceland refraction is exclusively performed by ophthalmologists who at the same time provide a comprehensive screening for ocular disease. One of the authors travelled three times a year during 1980 through 1984 providing ophthalmic services for rural area in the Eastern Region of Iceland. By the 1st of December 1982 the population 43 years of age and older was 925 persons. This age group is likely to require reading glasses. 751 persons, i.e. 81.2%, had eye examination including visual acuity tests. 730 persons were refracted i.e. 71.9%, and interpupillary distance for near was measured for 555 persons, i.e. 60% of the population. The results were used to estimate the suitability and usefulness of standard supermarket glasses. In 32.1% of the cases, standard reading glasses were found to be unsuitable because of refraction and in 14.2% of the cases, glasses with appropriate interpupillary distance were unavailable in the store. Thus almost half of the examined persons would not have found suitable glasses even if they had been correct in their selection in all instances, which is impossible.