- Multifocal Contact Lenses
What are multifocal contact lenses?
These lenses are typically for those who have presbyopia. Multifocal contact lenses correct the focussing issue that those who have presbyopia suffer with, the lenses are designed with multiple powers which target vision at different distances to the user. Usually, those who use multifocal glasses have two prescriptions - one is for far distant vision and the other is for close vision - Multifocal contact lenses have multiple prescriptions in one lens.
Types of multifocal contact lenses.
There are different types of multifocal contact lenses which you can use to correct your vision; distance prescription lenses, monovision lenses, and multifocal contact lenses. The first option you can go for is lenses with a distance prescription, These lenses come with pros and cons, which are listed below. The pros to distance prescription contact lenses are that they are the best multifocal contact lenses for distance vision. It will give you the clearest vision and the best depth perception from far away. However, the con with these distance prescription lenses is that you may find yourself needing to wear your reading glasses to see things which are a close reach distance away, like your phone, computer, or laptop - as these lenses accommodate for distance vision. If you are going to be using your lenses daily and is someone who for example works in an atmosphere where you are constantly switching between the two distances, then these may not be the most convenient for you.
The second option is monovision contact lenses, which also have pros and cons to them. These lenses work by taking your dominant eye and making it clear to distance vision, and taking the non-dominant eye and makes it clear to up-close vision. The pros to these lenses are that they serve a pretty clear distance vision, and you will be able to see what you need to see, with around 80 - 90% clarity, you can use these lenses safely while driving. Though the cons for these multifocal lenses are that they may take some time to get used to - it will affect your depth perception as you will be using only one eye at a time. Still, after some use and adjustment, and muscles training in your eyes, you will adapt to the use of these multifocal lenses in around 4 - 6 weeks.
The third option is multifocal contact lenses - in theory, these lenses work like a progressive or a no-line bifocal and no-line trifocal lens - These multifocal lenses work by allowing the eye to see distance, intermediate, and up close. The advantages of these lenses are that they will give users a great depth perception, however, they are not the best for distance vision - you will still be able to see the distance and are approved for driving, but they will not provide you with eagle vision. If you are somebody who prefers to have the clearest possible vision, multifocal contact lenses may not be the best option for you. For those who are going to be using these lenses all day, and switching between viewing up close, and then afar, these are ideal - for example if you are working and switching between looking at the computer and reading something up close all day - these lenses will be able to give you that smooth switch, especially after a few weeks once your eye muscles have adjusted to these lenses you will have a smooth transition between the two visual distances.
How long does it take for eyes to adjust to multifocal contacts?
Depending on each person, the time it will take you to get used to wearing multifocal lenses will differ, though usually, this time is somewhere between 4 to 6 weeks. Because there is more than one prescription in these lenses which are for different distances, at first your eyes will not be able to focus or make smooth transitions between the multiple prescriptions when looking from close to far. You may also experience seeing shadows around what you are looking at which makes your overall vision blurry. Wearing your new multifocal contact lenses as often as you can help to train your eyes to switch between the two different powers.
Do multifocal contact lenses really work?
Multifocal contact lenses are designed to treat those who suffer from both presbyopia (weak near vision) and myopia (weak far vision), therefore it may be a little difficult to find the right type of multifocal contact lenses for you. Although there is a small percentage of people who find it difficult to get used to multifocal contact lenses, and prefer not to use them - the success rate of these lenses are quite high, once the user has gotten used to their multifocal contact lenses, there seems to be no further problems with them and work as good as their multifocal lens glasses.