Forget Botox, New Zealand women are all in favour of another way to take years off their looks.

New research shows that 65 per cent of Kiwi women believe glasses can make them look older. And to look more youthful, nearly half would opt to replace their reading glasses with contact lenses, instead of trying cosmetic fillers or teeth whitening.
“It’s a smart move,” says Dr. Frances Pitsilis, Appearance Medicine specialist and New Zealand’s Doctor of Good Health. “Just taking care of your vision may prevent squinting - and that helps prevent wrinkles. Botox, creams and laser treatments can help wrinkles, but prevention in the first place is key!”

Kiwi women feel so strongly about glasses aging their looks that more than half would avoid wearing glasses on a first date. And nearly 68 per cent say wearing contacts in place of glasses can boost their self-esteem.

The survey of 1,000 New Zealand women aged 40 - 59 focused on attitudes towards optical health and perceptions on aging. The survey by leading eye-health company Bausch + Lomb also shows that Kiwi women take vision seriously but aren’t above vanity, with eye-care slipping down the list of health and beauty needs. Nearly 70 per cent of women prefer to take action on grey hair, weight gain or wrinkles before addressing failing vision. This is despite 58 per cent recognising failing vision as the most serious long-term concern.
Vicky Wang, leading clinical Optometrist, Eden Eye, says many women are slow to face their vision problems as they become older and their eyes’ ability to focus declines.
“I see a lot of women who show the signs of failing vision not acting soon enough. It is assumed that because their vision is deteriorating the only option is to wear ‘nana bifocals’ or reading glasses. Kiwi women perceive glasses as aging their look, but another solution women don’t often know exist is multifocal contact lenses. By wearing these, no one has to know you need vision correction, and no more squinting either; helping keep the signs of aging at bay in the long run.”

The research also shows that the focus on failing vision is a relevant concern for Kiwi women. Over 60 per cent suffer from presbyopia, or ‘long arm syndrome,’ and struggle with their vision when reading a menu, sending text messages, or putting on makeup.“Presbyopia is a natural occurrence that affects vision as we age, making it difficult for the eye to adjust its focus, especially when reading close up. Many women jokingly refer to presbyopia as ‘long-arm syndrome’ because the arms stretch out further and further in an attempt to make out fine print,” says Wang. Upon noticing a problem with their vision, more than 25 per cent of Kiwi women will wait a year or more before taking action. “Rather than ignore the problem, presbyopia can be easily treated with multifocal contact lenses, allowing women to maintain their youthful appearance and translate concern into action,” says Wang.

To find out more make an appointment with your Optometrist and visit www.longarm.co.nz where a coupon for a free trial pair of PureVision Multi-focal contact lenses* can be downloaded.