MULTIFOCAL
CONTACT LENSES
WHAT ARE MULTIFOCAL LENSES ?
Multifocal lenses are contact lenses which incorporate both your distance and near prescriptions. They are used for those over 40 years old who have developed presbyopia, ie: a need for a reading prescription.
These lenses are designed by using concentric circles throughout the lens: one circle corrects reading prescription and another corrects distance prescription.
Multifocal lenses are available for soft lenses, hybrid lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and scleral lenses. These designs are all great options.
WILL I HAVE CLEAR VISION?
In short, yes! But realistic expectations are important. For one lens to focus at multiple points: distance, near, and some intermediate, means that light is split for each image. Your brain chooses which image to use for which task (reading, driving, etc).
This splitting of light means that sometimes, for excellent distance vision, you may give up a little near vision, and for excellent near vision, you may compromise some distance vision.
Because of the concentric ring design, the light splits and may also make you see mild rings around lights at nighttime. This is because your pupil is very large and your vision can pick up on the light splitting more easily.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF BEING FIT WITH MULTIFOCAL LENSES?
The first thing to do is schedule an appointment!
We will check the health of your eyes and determine whether you would be a good candidate for multifocal lenses. With an updated glasses prescription, we will calculate what type of lens would work best for you, and what prescription it should be.
Do you have dry eyes? There is a specific multifocal contact lens for you.
We also have a newer design of multifocal soft contact lenses that correct both astigmatism AND reading vision! So far we have had great results.