What is the approximate age-based ADD power for a 60-year-old?

What is the approximate age-based ADD power for a 60-year-old?

• A. +1.50
• B. +2.00
• C. +2.50
• D. +3.00

Answer: (C)

As people age, the eye’s ability to focus up close declines, so an extra near focus power (the ADD) is added to the distance correction. Clinicians often assume a typical near working distance of about 40 cm for presbyopes. The needed add is roughly the reciprocal of that distance: 1 / 0.40 m ≈ 2.50 diopters. By around age 60, this near addition commonly sits around +2.50 D, which is why +2.50 is the best estimate. If someone reads much closer than 40 cm, they might need closer to +3.00 D, but +2.50 D is the standard approximate value for a 60-year-old.

As people age, the eye’s ability to focus up close declines, so an extra near focus power (the ADD) is added to the distance correction. Clinicians often assume a typical near working distance of about 40 cm for presbyopes. The needed add is roughly the reciprocal of that distance: 1 / 0.40 m ≈ 2.50 diopters. By around age 60, this near addition commonly sits around +2.50 D, which is why +2.50 is the best estimate. If someone reads much closer than 40 cm, they might need closer to +3.00 D, but +2.50 D is the standard approximate value for a 60-year-old.