Are multifocal lenses right for you?

As you age, vision problems become more likely. A survey in 2015 showed more than 24.4 million people in the US aging 40 and above are affected by cataracts. More people are looking for treatments to give them renewed sight. As your reading and seeing objects up close are becoming harder, you may have resorted to buying over-the-counter glasses to get around the issue. Your doctor, however, might suggest getting multifocal lenses. What are multifocal lenses?

What are progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses, also otherwise called multifocal lenses, are three different prescriptions in one pair of glasses. It means it allows you to read a book, check your computer screens in mid-distance, and will enable you to drive. It allows you to do several activities using one glasses, hence the multifocal. Before you decide to switch from mono to multifocal lenses, it’s essential to know its pros and cons.

Multifocal glasses have three sections:

The upper section allows you to see in the distance.

The middle section allows you to see things up close.

The lower section allows you to see at intermediate and middle distances.

Benefits of Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal lenses mean that you get to say goodbye to glasses. There’s no need to keep changing your glasses depending on the activity you’re doing. You now use the same eyeglasses for reading, driving, and looking at people when speaking to them. It allows for a more natural approach to viewing and seeing things, even when it is commonly associated with aging. The lack of bifocal lines that usually glasses have gives off a youthful image.

Drawbacks of Multifocal Lenses

Progressive glasses don’t have the line that separates the lenses, helping users determine where they can look. It takes a week or two for you to learn how to use it to its full extent fully. The lower part of the glasses is magnified, and accidentally looking at it while walking may cause some ground distortions. These distortions cause stumbling or tripping. You need to train your eyes where to look to avoid tripping. There’s also distortion when moving your head from side to side, but these distortions eventually go away when you’ve trained your eyes where to look at.

Multifocal lenses are also more expensive than single lenses or bifocal lenses. You are getting three lenses in one glasses, and you’re even paying for the time it took to create the eyeglasses without the lines. Progressive glasses/multifocal lenses are right, but it has a learning curve. Wear the glasses as frequently as you can to help your eyes adjust. Move your eyes and not your head when you’re reading.

The Takeaway

The only way to know if multifocal lenses are great for you is to try them out and see how your eyes can adjust. If you are thinking of making the switch, reach out to your doctor and inquire first. Your doctor will have professional suggestions on the glasses that will work for you.