Bifocal Contact Lens Basics
As we age, many of us notice that we can't read as well as we
used to. We hold things out further and further, literally at
arm's length, until friends and relatives inevitable begin
joking about our arm's getting shorter.
For many of us, presbyopia is a fact of life. Simply defined,
presbyopia is the inability to focus on items in close range.
This condition is caused by the lens in the eye becoming less
and less flexible as we age. Unfortunately, most of us will need
corrective lenses and even bifocals at some point as this
condition worsens.
Until recently, bifocal wearers had few options when choosing
corrective eyeware. Glasses with bifocal lenses were the most
common option. Luckily, no-line bifocal lenses were developed,
and the glasses became somewhat more attractive. Some struggled
with the "one contact lens" option, called monovision, but this
seemed to result in a lot of squinting for the users and usually
required a difficult adjustment period.
Recently, bifocal contact lenses have been developed for almost
every kind of contact lens on the market. This advancement is
great for the aging population already wearing single vision
contacts but needing to "step up" to the bifocal lens.
Bifocal contact lenses work just like bifocal glass lenses do;
two powers of glass in each lens provide different focus
adjustments, one for far away (distance) and another for close
up. Both adjustments are contained in each contact lens.
Different manufacturers make different types of bifocal lenses,
and it may take some experimentation to discover which type is
right for you.
Some bifocal contact lenses are made with a concentric design.
Like concentric circles, one adjustment is in the middle of the
lens, and the other adjustment is around the outside of the
lens. The two are distinct, with a sharp delineation between the
two. Although they sound difficult to use, most find that they
eye will adjust and use the proper ring with a little practice.
Aspheric lenses have a more gradual change between focuses. Both
of the powers are in the area of the pupil, and as with the
concentric lens, the eye will adjust and learn to choose the
proper focus to use.
The third type of bifocal lens is the translating lens. Like
bifocal glasses, the near correction is near the bottom of the
lens and the distance correction is above. Since these lenses
can't shift in the eye, they are usually made so that they can't
move easily.
Ask your optometrist which type of lens he'd recommend for you.
Since each will take require an adjustment period, be patient.
You may want to research brands and types of lenses before going
to your optometrist to decide if you want extended wear, daily
disposable lenses or conventional contact lenses.
Whatever type you choose, the new bifocal contact lenses on the
market can ensure that aging baby boomers can continue to read
without sacrificing style or dignity.