Manage Presbyopia With Multifocal Lenses At TotalVision Eyecare Center
Presbyopia is a common age-related condition that affects most people over 40. It occurs when the eye’s natural lens loses its ability to focus on close objects. People with presbyopia often have difficulty reading, threading a needle, or seeing the fine print on a menu.
There are several ways to correct presbyopia, including reading glasses, bifocal lenses, and multifocal lenses. Multifocal contact lenses are a popular option for people who don’t like the look, feel, or inconvenience of reading glasses.
Multifocal contact lenses work by having different powers in different lens zones, allowing people to see clearly at all distances without switching between other pairs of glasses. Multifocal contact lenses are available in soft and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) varieties.
Bifocals And Multifocals
Bifocal lenses have two distinct segments for different vision powers: distance vision and near vision, allowing you to switch your focus from near to far as needed. Still, your vision will only sometimes be clear in between.
Multifocal lenses are any lenses with multiple powers, including bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses. Non-bifocal multifocal lenses have a range of powers that allow you to constantly adjust your focus to see clearly from up close to far and in between.
Multifocal contact lenses generally have one of two designs:
Simultaneous vision lenses: These lenses have different powers in different zones of the lens, allowing you to see clearly at all distances simultaneously.
Alternating vision lenses: These lenses have a single power in each eye. One eye focuses on distance vision, while the other focuses on near vision. Your brain learns to alternate between the two eyes to see clearly at all distances.
Multifocal contact lenses can be a good option for people with presbyopia, which causes difficulty focusing on close objects as we age. Multifocal contact lenses can also be a good option for people with other vision problems, such as astigmatism or cataracts.
Simultaneous Vision Lenses
Simultaneous vision multifocal contact lenses are the most popular type of multifocal contact lenses. They work by presenting the distance and near vision zones of the lens at the same time. Your eyes learn to utilize the segment of the lens that they need to focus on the desired object and essentially ignore the other.
There are two main types of simultaneous vision multifocal contact lenses:
Concentric ring design: Concentric circles of different powers, similar to a bulls-eye, compose these lenses. The central circle typically holds the distance power, and eye doctors can add extra rings to create a trifocal or multifocal lens. The width of each ring varies based on the required power, and eye doctors can blend the edges of the rings for a smooth focus transition.
Aspheric design: These lenses have a variety of powers blended across the surface of the lens, including the center. This design attempts to provide a more natural vision experience, as distance and near vision power are in the central visual area.
Translating or Alternating Vision Lenses
Translating multifocal contact lenses are similar to bifocal eyeglass lenses in that they have distinct areas or zones for distance and near vision. However, instead of switching between the two zones by moving your eyes up and down, your pupil will move to the desired zone depending on your vision needs.
Typically, the top of the translating lens is for distance vision, and the bottom is for near vision. However, individual vision needs can prompt the reversal of this arrangement.
Translating multifocal contact lenses are only available in rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lens material. RGP lenses are more stable and less likely to move around the eye than soft contact lenses.
Translating multifocal contact lenses are held in place by a ballast, an area thicker than the rest of the lens. The ballast can be at the top or bottom of the lens, depending on the design. In certain situations, the lower part of the lens can also be modified, such as by truncation or flattening, to ensure it aligns properly with the lower lid.
Translating multifocal contact lenses can be a good option for people with presbyopia, which causes difficulty focusing on close objects as we age. Translating multifocal contact lenses can also be a good option for people with other vision problems, such as astigmatism or cataracts.
Monovision, an Alternative to Multifocals
Monovision is a contact lens correction that uses one lens for distance vision and the other for near vision. Monovision can be a good option for people with presbyopia, which causes difficulty focusing on close objects as we age.
Monovision can also be a good option for people with difficulty adapting to multifocal contact lenses.
There are two types of monovision:
Traditional monovision: Traditional monovision involves one lens corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision. The dominant eye is typically designated for distance vision, while the non-dominant eye is for near vision.
Modified monovision: Modified monovision entails one lens corrected for distance vision and the other corrected for intermediate and near vision. Modified monovision is a good option for people needing vision correction for intermediate distances, such as computer work or driving.
Our eye doctor will perform a test to determine which type of monovision is best suited for your needs and lifestyle. They will also help you choose the right power for each lens.
