First off, if you're under the age of 40 you can stop reading now. BiFocals are not for you. starting at age 40, many require assistance in seeing things up close. Yes, that means you.
For everyone else who is wearing reading glasses, bifocals, or just plain struggling to read the newspaper (or this article for that matter), bifocal contact lenses are an exciting option with some new advances, but they definitely aren't for everyone.
Let me state two caveats before I begin. In this article I am really only talking about soft lenses. Second, when I discuss bifocal contact lens fittings I am refering not only to true bifocal contact lenses (as advertised on T.V.), but I am also referring to monovision (one lens for distance only and one lens for near only), plus every conceivable combination of bifocal and monovision lenses.
Here are a few things that would make you a good candidate for bifocal contact lenses, though keep in mind not a single one of these is an absolute requirement: a strong desire to not wear glasses, a willingness to accept vision that isn't quite perfect in exchange for adequate vision at all distances, being closer to age 40 than to age 60, prior contact lens experience, long-time glasses use, and an understanding that reading glasses may still be needed from time to time for small print or poor lighting conditions.
And now a few things that make you a worse candidate: intense fear of touching your eye, high amounts of astigmatism, need for crystal clear vision (perfectionists and Type A folks), very dry eyes, having an eye that doesn't see very well even with the best correction.
Here are just a few things to consider before trying on any type of bifocal contact lens. 1) bifocal contact lenses will not provide as clear a vision as bifocal eyeglasses. 2) each person adjust to bifocal contact lenses differently, therefore it may take several fittings with vastly different lens combinations before finding the best option for you.
Bifocal glasses do not work the same as bifocal contact lenses. for soft contact lenses, you cannot look through just one part of the lens at a time. Part of your vision is always focused up closeand part of your vision is always focused at a distance. When you are looking up close your brain learns to concentrate on the part of your vision that is focused up close and block out the part that is focused at a distance, and vice versa when you look at a distance. bifocal contact lenses can not be as perfect as bifocal glasses because part of your vision is always focused at the wrong location. because the brain interprets what we see through bifocal contacts each person has a different experience with bifocal contacts, therefore each fitting is a unique experience.
Choosing the right doctor is important with bifocal contact lenses. The doctor must have a firm understanding of how the lenses work, the doctor must be very patient, the doctor must know what changes to make based upon each patient's response to the lenses, and must set appropriate expectationswith proper education. Not all doctors are willing to accept the challenge with bifocal contact lenses, so choose wisely.
To find out if you would be a good candidate for bifocal contact lenses, contact your local eye doctor for a complete evaluation and to learn more about bifocal contact lenses. - 15343
For everyone else who is wearing reading glasses, bifocals, or just plain struggling to read the newspaper (or this article for that matter), bifocal contact lenses are an exciting option with some new advances, but they definitely aren't for everyone.
Let me state two caveats before I begin. In this article I am really only talking about soft lenses. Second, when I discuss bifocal contact lens fittings I am refering not only to true bifocal contact lenses (as advertised on T.V.), but I am also referring to monovision (one lens for distance only and one lens for near only), plus every conceivable combination of bifocal and monovision lenses.
Here are a few things that would make you a good candidate for bifocal contact lenses, though keep in mind not a single one of these is an absolute requirement: a strong desire to not wear glasses, a willingness to accept vision that isn't quite perfect in exchange for adequate vision at all distances, being closer to age 40 than to age 60, prior contact lens experience, long-time glasses use, and an understanding that reading glasses may still be needed from time to time for small print or poor lighting conditions.
And now a few things that make you a worse candidate: intense fear of touching your eye, high amounts of astigmatism, need for crystal clear vision (perfectionists and Type A folks), very dry eyes, having an eye that doesn't see very well even with the best correction.
Here are just a few things to consider before trying on any type of bifocal contact lens. 1) bifocal contact lenses will not provide as clear a vision as bifocal eyeglasses. 2) each person adjust to bifocal contact lenses differently, therefore it may take several fittings with vastly different lens combinations before finding the best option for you.
Bifocal glasses do not work the same as bifocal contact lenses. for soft contact lenses, you cannot look through just one part of the lens at a time. Part of your vision is always focused up closeand part of your vision is always focused at a distance. When you are looking up close your brain learns to concentrate on the part of your vision that is focused up close and block out the part that is focused at a distance, and vice versa when you look at a distance. bifocal contact lenses can not be as perfect as bifocal glasses because part of your vision is always focused at the wrong location. because the brain interprets what we see through bifocal contacts each person has a different experience with bifocal contacts, therefore each fitting is a unique experience.
Choosing the right doctor is important with bifocal contact lenses. The doctor must have a firm understanding of how the lenses work, the doctor must be very patient, the doctor must know what changes to make based upon each patient's response to the lenses, and must set appropriate expectationswith proper education. Not all doctors are willing to accept the challenge with bifocal contact lenses, so choose wisely.
To find out if you would be a good candidate for bifocal contact lenses, contact your local eye doctor for a complete evaluation and to learn more about bifocal contact lenses. - 15343
About the Author:
Dr. Eric Stamper, O.D. is a Hendersonville, Tn Eye Doctor and owns Visionary Eyecare Center. Dr. Eric Stamper received his optometry degree in May of 2007 from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where he graduated with honors in the top 10 percent of his class.
