Progressive addition lenses for deaf lip readers and signers.

Deaf patients depend on intermediate vision for interpersonal communication. Deaf presbyopes are at a particular disadvantage since they are usually corrected for near and far vision with bifocals without consideration of their intermediate vision. Progressive addition lenses were used in this study to provide an intermediate correction for a group of deaf presbyopes. The patients' communication ability was tested through Varilux II lenses and habitual bifocals on a series of standardized lip reading and sign language tests. The patients showed better visual communication skills with the progressive adds, a preference for the progressive adds, and the impression of better vision through the progressive addition lens as opposed to their habitual bifocals.