Are you over 40 and struggling to read small print? You might have developed presbyopia, a common condition affecting those reaching their 40s. If you're already a glasses wearer, and are later on diagnosed with presbyopia, you don't have to carry a separate pair of reading glasses. Multifocal lenses, which correct problems with both near and far sight, help you see clearly at all times, with one pair of glasses.
At one point, bifocals were the obvious solution, but they have a significant flaw; while they correct problems with both near and distant objects, everything in between is blurred. In an effort to create something more helpful, progressive lenses were developed. These provide wearers with a transition part of the lens that allows your eyes to focus on everything between things like the newspaper and far objects like road signs. How does this work? Progressive lenses feature a subtle curvature, unlike a bifocal lens, which is harshly sectioned. For this reason, progressive lenses are also called no-line lenses.
These lenses, although better, may take some time to get used to. While the invisible transition of progressive lenses is more aesthetically pleasing, the focal areas are quite small because more lens space is used for the transitional areas.
Even though these progressive lenses (or trifocals) are for presbyopia, bifocals are often used to treat young patients with issues like eye teaming, or being unable to focus properly, which causes headaches.
Multifocal lenses are most helpful when they're made to work with your specific requirements. So when it's time to get yours, enlist the services of a professional you feel comfortable with.
If your prescription or fit is off you could end up suffering from headaches, eye strain or even nausea. Presbyopia catches up to most of us when we reach a certain age, but it doesn't have to be debilitating. A good pair of multifocals will ensure that your quality of life isn't affected.