Are Bifocal Contact Lenses a Compromise or a Miracle?
Regarding vision, hard (gas permeable) contacts usually provide more acceptable results. Another benefit of gas permeable lenses is that they are completely customized for an individual. There are two general styles of gas permeable bifocals. 1) Bifocals and 2) Multifocals
Bifocal gas permeable lenses have two distinct powers built in. One for distance and one for near vision. To hold one up and look at it, you will see a design similar to that of a lined pair of bifocal eyeglasses. When fit properly this design of lens does not really have a compromise. Distance vision is clear and near vision is sharp, based upon an individuals needs. While this style of lens does not compromise quality of vision, the one area they may lack is intermediate vision.
Multifocal gas permeable contact lenses are more similar to a progressive pair of eyeglasses. Usually the very center of the lens has the full distance correction needed. Near vision correction is gradually incorporated away from the center in a smooth fashion towards the lens periphery. The advantage of multifocal is there ability to provide a gradual change in correction which translates to good distance vision, good near vision, and everything in between. There are two possible compromises to this style of lens. One being that only a certain amount of near vision add power can be used in the lens before it begins to distort the distance vision. And two, many people notice excessive glare at night. This is because at night pupils expand, which makes the progressive add power more noticeable.
The most recent and latest advances in gas permeable bifocals and multifocals have given us a hybrid of the two major designs. When properly fit, hybrid lenses can provide crisp distance vision, in focus near vision, and everything in between with minimal compromises.
The next family of lenses are soft lenses. Soft bifocal lenses, meaning a lens with two distinct powers, are rarely used. Rather soft contacts use the multifocal progressive design, similar to that of a gas permeable. The advantage of soft multifocals is comfort. The vision is not as crisp as gas permeable multifocals, however, they can be extremely comfortable.
Possible compromises of soft multifocals are halos at night and limited amount of available add power. For most, the benefits far outweigh the compromises. If you currently rely on reading glasses to see anything up close just think of how great it would be to have your vision of 5 or 10 years ago back. That's exactly what contact lenses can give you about 90% of the time you wear them
Being fit with multifocals is a real specialty. If you tried them once and was not impressed, don't despair. Just explain to your lens fitter what you experienced and what your expectations are. If they can make it better, they will. If they can not, ask if they can recommend a lens specialist who may be able to do better. To truly fit multifocal lenses takes time, patience, and experience.
Steve Cogger is a contact lens specialist in New York City.
Find out more of the great information he shares with all contact lens wearers,
visit All-About-Contact-Lenses.com
