American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam

What is an effective approach to prevent glasses from slipping down the patient's nose?

1. Widen the nose pads

2. Narrow the temple arms

3. Adjust the temple length

4. Increase the nose pad size

The correct answer is: Widen the nose pads

Widening the nose pads is an effective approach to prevent glasses from slipping down the patient's nose because it increases the surface area that contacts the skin on the nose, providing better stability and support. When the nose pads are wider, they can distribute the weight of the glasses more evenly, which helps to secure them in place. This adjustment can significantly enhance comfort and reduce movement when the wearer is active or moving. Increasing the size of the nose pads can also work, but simply widening them may allow for a more tailored fit based on the specific shape and size of the patient’s nose. Widening the nose pads can offer more grip and allows the glasses to rest more securely, minimizing the chance of them sliding down. While adjusting temple length or narrowing temple arms might assist in the fit and comfort of the glasses, these actions do not directly address the problem of the glasses slipping down the nose as effectively as widening the nose pads.