Health

What are Multifocal Lenses?

People over 40 frequently notice that it is difficult or nearly impossible to focus on objects up close and that their near vision has become blurry. This is known as presbyopia, which develops gradually and naturally as we age. Presbyopia is unavoidable and is caused by a loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye, causing the lens to harden. Because of this hardening, the eye can no longer focus on close objects because light now focuses behind the retina rather than directly on it when reading.

Modern advances in contact lens technology have the ability to provide people with presbyopia with clear vision without needing eyeglasses. If you require a reading prescription (with or without distance correction), multifocal contact lenses may be a good option for you.

Bifocal and multifocal contact lenses treat presbyopia by providing both distance and near vision correction. These contact lenses can accommodate multiple prescriptions in a single lens, allowing the wearer to focus clearly on objects at various distances, whether reading or driving. Even multifocal contact lenses that correct astigmatism are available. Multifocal lenses have three focal points: one for reading and near vision, one for intermediate vision, and one for distance vision.

Multifocal contact lens types

There are three types of multifocal contact lenses in general:

  • Concentric multifocal lenses. These lenses allow for a gradual change from one prescription to the next. The rings alternate between near and far corrections, similar to a bull’s eye pattern.
  • Aspheric multifocal lenses. Aspheric lenses, like progressive lenses, are designed to provide a smooth transition between prescriptions. However, one of the prescriptions will be in the centre and will gradually shift outward.
  • Segmented bifocal lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are employed in all bifocal contact lenses. They look like bifocal eyeglass lenses, with the near prescription in the bottom half and the distance prescription in the top half. The lower area is flattened to keep these lenses staying in place on the eye.

Is your prescription one of these kinds of lenses?

Contact lens prescriptions include a variety of factors such as power, base curve, diameter, specific brand of lens, and more. If your eye doctor advises using a rigid gas permeable lens, your prescription will include additional information such as colour and dot details. Contact lenses are available in a variety of materials and sizes. When you wear contact lenses that you haven’t been prescribed, you put yourself at risk for problems ranging from discomfort to severe infection. As a result, you should only wear contact lenses specifically prescribed for you by a qualified eye care professional.

Evidence suggests that using multifocal contact lenses in children with progressive myopia can help decrease its advancement.

Are multifocal lenses for me?

People with varied visual requirements have numerous alternatives. Some people, for example, use their usual distance contact lenses and only use reading glasses when necessary; others have two sets of monovision contact lenses (one eye for distance and the other for near tasks). Contact lenses that are bifocal or multifocal are a more practical and natural solution. However, they usually need time to adjust. Nonetheless, your eyes will quickly learn to distinguish between prescriptions and begin to utilise the proper prescription at the correct distance. When these lenses are properly fitted, you will not require eyeglasses for most everyday activities. Make an appointment with your eye doctor now if you believe multifocal lenses are correct for you.