At some point in your 40s, you may notice that the small print on a menu is harder to read, or that you’re holding your phone a little further away than you used to. That’s presbyopia, which is a natural change in the eye’s ability to focus up close, and it affects nearly everyone eventually.¹
Reading glasses are a common solution for presbyopia, but they’re not the only one. For contact lens wearers who’d rather not reach for a pair of readers every time they check their phone or read a label, multifocal contact lenses are a great option.
In this blog, we’ll explain how multifocal contacts work, who they’re designed for, and what to expect during a contact lens exam.
How multifocal contacts compare to other options
People with presbyopia once had limited options. The most common solutions were:
- Reading glasses: A convenient solution for close-up tasks, but they need to be put on and taken off throughout the day and don’t correct distance vision.
- Bifocal or trifocal glasses: These lenses feature distinct prescription zones separated by visible lines, with each section designed for a different viewing distance. While they eliminate the need to switch between multiple pairs of glasses, some patients don’t like the visible lines or find the transitions between viewing zones less natural.
- Monovision contact lenses: This approach corrects one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision. While it works well for some people, others find it affects depth perception or takes time to adjust to.
These approaches can work well, but each comes with trade-offs. Multifocal contact lenses address near, intermediate, and distance vision in a single lens, with both eyes working together, making them a more natural and convenient option for many patients.
What are multifocal contacts?
Multifocal contact lenses correct vision at more than one distance—typically near, intermediate, and far—within a single lens.
Standard single-vision contacts correct vision at only one distance, which is why many people end up wearing reading glasses along with their contacts or switching between two pairs of glasses throughout the day. Multifocal lenses eliminate the need for several pairs of corrective lenses by offering multiple prescriptions in one lens.
Who is a good candidate for multifocal lenses?
Multifocal contacts often help adults who have developed presbyopia, an age-related change that affects the eye’s ability to focus up close.
Presbyopia typically begins in your early to mid-40s and gradually progresses over time. You may benefit from multifocal contact lenses if you:
- Need reading glasses for close-up tasks
- Want to reduce your dependence on multiple pairs of glasses
- Already wear contact lenses and want to continue doing so
- Frequently switch between near and distance vision throughout the day
- Have an active lifestyle that makes readers inconvenient
Many people appreciate the freedom of seeing clearly without constantly reaching for reading glasses.
What to expect during a multifocal contact lens fitting
Fitting multifocal contact lenses often requires more fine-tuning than fitting standard contact lenses. Because the lenses contain multiple prescription zones, your eyes and brain need time to learn how to use them together. It’s normal for this adjustment period to take several days or even a couple of weeks.
During the fitting process, you can expect:
- A thorough evaluation of your prescription and eye health
- Trial lenses to assess how well your eyes adapt to the design
- Follow-up visits to fine-tune the prescription and lens fit
- A discussion about whether multifocal lenses are the right choice for your eyes
Many patients notice their vision becoming clearer and more comfortable over the first few weeks as their eyes and brain adjust to the lenses.
Find out if multifocal contact lenses are right for you
Presbyopia doesn’t have to mean giving up contact lenses. Multifocal lenses have helped many patients maintain the active, glasses-free lifestyle they’re used to, and there are more advanced and comfortable options than ever before.
At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, our experienced eye doctors in Littleton provide comprehensive eye exams and personalized multifocal fittings for patients ready to explore their options. Schedule an appointment to find out whether multifocal contact lenses are the right fit for your vision and lifestyle.
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