Bifocal and Multifocal Lenses

Considering Different Types of Visual Treatments For Presbyopia | Glasses and Contact Lenses

Most people after the age of 40 to 45 will notice that their near vision becomes more challenging over time and the small print “seems even smaller than last year”.  This is called presbyopia.  Eventually, most people over this age, and some younger people who use their eyes extensively for near work, realize they need assistance with focusing up close.   They complain of tired, red, dry, blurry vision, especially after doing near work for hours.  There are several options to assist with improving the comfort and vision of near eye strain.  Glasses are an obvious option since they have been around for centuries.  But many people did not know that there are contact lens options when this problem arises.   Let’s explain the different options.

GLASSES

Multifocals

Multifocal glasses are easy to wear and usually are worn full time.  The upper portion of the lens is adjusted for distance vision and the lower portion is focused on near print.  They do not have a line in the lens which is a nice cosmetic choice.  As the prescription changes from the top to the bottom of the lens, the power of the lens gradually shifts stronger from distance to near vision which allows for intermediate viewing like a computer screen.  This middle range intermediate vision is unique for multifocal lenses.  Some multifocal lenses are designed just for intermediate and near vision and are put to use for extensive computer time.  In straight ahead gaze you can see the computer and looking down you can see smaller reading print.   This encourages good posture in front of the screen.

Bifocals

Bifocal glasses also provide vision for distance and reading like a multifocal lens but have some differences.  Bifocal lenses have a prominent line horizontally across the lens about two thirds from the top.  Above the line is distance vision and below the line is reading vision.  This line is seen by the wearer and also observed by other people,  therefore some patients do not like the cosmetics of these lenses.  A bifocal lens also lacks a focusing point for the intermediate vision out at arm’s length, like a computer screen or the distance of the grocery store items when they are on the shelf.

Reading Glasses

Reading glasses can be made for a single purpose, only to focus at one up close range.  The entire lens is one power and will allow the user to see small print very clearly.  The wearer will have to remove them when not reading since the distance vision will be blurry looking through the lenses.  Vision Solutions can help you decide what is best for your prescription.

CONTACT LENSES 

Multifocals

Contact lenses can be fit to allow the same type of vision that multifocal glasses provide:  distance, mid-range, and near vision.  The multifocal lenses are what is known as aspheric where multiple focal lengths are all found within the contact lens on the eye and the patient just needs to pay attention to the vision they need for the task at hand.  Some have distance vision in the center with the periphery having the other lengths and some have near vision in the center with the other ranges in the periphery of the lens.

Monovision

Another contact lens option is monovision.  One eye is fit with a contact lens for distance vision and the other eye is fit with a contact lens for near vision.   Usually the distance lens is fit on the dominant eye since that is an important eye for driving.  This prevents the need to use reading glasses over the contact lenses but it can be difficult to adjust to the vision and result in poor depth perception or poor night driving.

Choose the Right Vision Options in San Diego, CA

Vision Solutions can help you find the right glasses or contact lenses for your vision needs.  We start with a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Peters to determine your visual needs. Then we customize glasses or contact lens solutions that fit your lifestyle.

Based on the eye exam results by our optometrist team, our office can provide a comprehensive approach from your evaluation to glasses or contact lens solutions, all in-house here in San Diego, CA. This kind of maximum convenience saves trips and valuable time. Call us at (619) 461-4913 to schedule an appointment!

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Monday, Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
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