ABSTRACT
Background: Use of spectacles is common for people having vision problems. Unifocal and bifocal are usually the commonly used lenses for vision correction. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of type of lenses in eyeglasses on the neck muscles endurance and neck posture.Methods: A sample of 132 subjects were recruited and divided in three groups according to use of unifocal, bifocal or no glasses. Normal healthy subjects using eyeglasses for a minimum of 2 years and as per selection criteria were assessed for their deep neck flexor endurance (DNF) and craniovertebral angle (CVA).Results: Females had less DNF endurance than males in all groups. DNF endurance was also least reported in subjects using bifocal lenses followed by unifocal and no glasses. These results were similar for both males and females. Bifocal group also had least CVA amongst both sexes.Conclusions: Use of bifocal lenses reduces the DNF endurance and leads to forward head posture over time. These two factors are commonly associated with development of neck pain and disability. Assessment for the type of lens in eyeglasses should be added in diagnosing musculoskeletal problems in neck. Appropriate neck exercises, corrective postures and advise for correct eyeglasses at an early stage could maintain DNF endurance and therefore, prevent faulty neck postures and associated pain. This small check could be a big step towards reducing the financial and psychological burden on the patient and an affordable and less invasive public health solution to neck related problems.