Multifocal
Contact Lenses
What are multifocal contact lenses?
Multifocal contact lenses are contact lenses with multiple prescriptions all in one lens. There is typically a prescription for close objects and one prescription for normal objects viewed at a distance, and then prescriptions for intermediate distances. This setup helps people with presbyopia correct age-related near vision problems.
What’s the difference between multifocals and bifocals?
Multifocal contact lenses are designed with a gradual transition between a prescription for close reading on one end and a prescription for normal distance viewing on the other. They are very similar to progressive eyeglasses. Bifocals, on the other hand, have a sharp edge between the near and far vision prescription areas of the lens.
Types of
multifocal contacts
Multifocal contact lenses come in both soft lens and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens materials. There are two main types of multifocal contact lens designs. The most common is a set of concentric circles of lens powers prescribed for various viewing distances. There are also blended designs, which keep both the near and distance prescriptions close to the center of your eye, and mimic a natural viewing experience by correcting the specific points of aberration in your eyes.
Choosing
multifocal contact lenses
Here are some pros and cons of multifocal contact lens：
Advantages of
multifocals:
- Better visual acuity for the range of distances from near to far.
- A less abrupt switch between prescriptions.
- The ability to see in most conditions without extra eyewear.
Drawbacks of
multifocals:
- More difficult to adjust to due to a different viewing experience.
- Accompanied by nighttime glare or shadowy vision during the adjustment period.
- More expensive because of the increased complexity in design.
Multifocal contact lens
alternatives
If multifocals don’t sound like they’re a good fit, there are some other options, including:
- Pairing reading glasses with normal contact lenses.
- Monovision contact lenses, one eye sees far distance clearly and the other eye sees close distance clearly.
- Bifocal contact lenses.