Multifocal Contact Lenses

As we reach our forties we start to find that reading small print and focusing on close objects more and more difficult. This is due to a natural age-related condition called Presbyopia. Presbyopia, in simple terms is when the natural lens in your eye becomes less flexible and so it is unable to bend to allow  you to focus on objects up close.

When Presbyopia happens reading spectacles are usually prescribed. Only thing is reading spectacles can be quite limiting. Imagine if you work in a retail environment where you need to be able to see at multiple distances, seamlessly. If you are wearing reading spectacles you will be unable to do this as they only correct your near vision. To see, you would end up having to wear your reading spectacles half way down your nose so you can look over them or you will end up constantly putting them on and taking them off, this is not a very practical solution.

The options used to be bifocals that would feature your distance power at the top of the lens and then there would be a line on the lens and below the line was the reading section of the bifocals.  These days bifocals are not used very much as our use of digital devices demand that we require intermediate vision too and the bifocals in spectacles never delivered. Bifocal contact lenses are not available on our website as they are such an old design.

Multifocal lenses are the lenses of choice today as they allow you to see at multiple distances  ;  near, intermediate and distance, all these prescription powers are blended into the lens, there is no obvious line on the lens as there was with bifocals.  The multifocal lens design follows the normal movement of your eyes so it only takes a few days to get used to them and they are so much more convenient.  What if you don't need a prescription for the distance? That's fine; the distance portion of the lens can be clear.

Once you have the hang of multifocal or progressive lenses in your spectacles then you can start to consider frameless options - multifocal contact lenses or other contact lens alternatives that provide you with multiple focus distances. If you need an astigmatic correction, multifocal toric contact lenses are available too.

Before you consider multifocal contact lenses there are two things you need to be aware of:

1. Multi-focal contact lenses, for most people will not match the clarity that you are used to with your spectacles, however they will serve you for 80% of your daily activities and are a great sports option.

2. When visiting your optometrist for a fitting of contact lenses that offer multiple focal distances be prepared that you may need to try a number of options before you find the right one for you. Although the lenses that you try will be free, your time with the optometrist is not and you will be charged for the fitting process which can be quite time consuming for both of you.

There are two main types of multifocal contact lenses:

Alternating Image Design, sometimes referred to as Translating Bifocals - this is similar to a bifocal spectacle lens where the near focus is at the base of the lens and the distance focus is in the top portion of the lens. These two parts are separated by an invisible line. One of the draw backs of this lens is you may find focusing at intermediate distances, such as the computer, difficult. This is are older style multi-focal contacts.

Simultaneous Designs

Simultaneous Concentric Design - features a power at the centre of the lens and then a ring around the centre with the opposing power. Dependant on your dominant eye your optometrist will ascertain whether to use a near power in the centre or a distance power in the centre. Lenses that feature this design include: Cooper Vision’s Biofinity Multi-focal contact lenses and  Proclear Multifocal contact lenses. Ciba Vision’s Air Optix Multifocal contact lenses also feature this design.

Simultaneous Aspheric Design - puts the near and distance corrections in front of the pupil so the brain has to determine which part of the lens it needs to get the best image. These multi-focal contact lenses work much like a progressive lens where multiple powers are blended within the one lens, they can take some time to get used to as your brain has to work out which power it needs to bring objects into focus. Contact lenses that feature this design include: Bausch & Lomb Purevision 2 Multifocal contact lenses, the orginal Purevision multi-focal contact lenses and the Soflens monthly multifocal contact lenses.  Cooper Vison’s Proclear 1 Day Multifocal contact lenses and Ciba Visions Focus Dailies

Multifocal contact lenses can be difficult to get used to and if you are struggling your optometrist may suggest monovision or modified monovision as an alternative.

Monovision is when two single vision lenses are used - one eye wears a contact lens with your distance power and the less dominant eye wears the power for near. Sounds odd but is works for many people. However, the drawback with monovision is the lack of depth perception and you may find that you have to move your head more often to help bring objects into focus.

Modified monovision where one eye wears a single vision distance lens on the dominant eye and a multifocal lens on the other eye providing near and intermediate focal points.