Will Bifocal Contact Lenses Work for Me?

Have you ever wondered whether bifocal contact lenses work, and whether they will work for you?   The answer to both is, most likely, yes!

First of all, it helps to understand whether you need bi focal contact lenses.  If you've noticed that you have trouble reading up close, and have to hold your reading material further away from your face (usually at arm's length), then you might have presbyopia. 

Presbyopia is a condition of the eye that happens with age; and happens to nearly everyone eventually.  As the eye becomes less elastic with age, it causes blurry vision when trying to read at close range.  It is not the same as becoming nearsighted or farsighted, which are caused by other conditions of the eye. 

Until recently, most people believed that the only cure for presbyopia was to wear reading glasses or bifocal eyeglasses.  The bifocal contact lense has been around for awhile; however, it's only due to recent technology that they have become comfortable and efficient enough to be more popular and accepted as an option.  Now there are many contact lens options for people with presbyopia.  If you've ever been told you can't wear contact lenses, chances are you'll find that bifocal contact lenses work for you. 

There are two main types of lenses for people with presbyopia; bifocal and multifocal. 

• Bifocal contact lenses work by using two prescriptions in one lens; as your eye looks up or down, it alternates between these two powers to see further away or up close.  They use improved technology to make sure the lenses stay in place as you blink and as you move your eye around. 

• Multifocal contact lenses, on the other hand, have a range of powers within one lens, including bifocals.  However, the transition is a bit more smooth, due to the wide range of powers instead of just two.  This eliminates what is called “image jump,” which happens when your eye “jumps” from one prescription in a bifocal lens to the other.   

Within both of these categories, there are many other options from which to choose; including materials that the lenses are made of, whether you want tinted color, and whether you want disposable or extended wear.  There are even bifocal toric contact lenses if you have presbyopia and astigmatism.  These bifocal contact lenses work with your astigmatism, which was nearly unheard of a decade ago. 

Of course, bifocal contact lenses are specialty contact lenses and therefore have to be fitted extra carefully by your eye care practitioner.  You might have to try a few different brands to find the lens that is right for you. 

The best way to find your perfect lens is to look for free trials offered by different manufacturers or websites.  This allows you to “try on” a pair and wear them for awhile, before committing to buying that brand.  However, you need to do this in combination with your appointment to get your contact lense prescription, so do your research and plan accordingly. 

With some patience, research, and a little experimentation, you will find that bifocal contact lenses work for you!

More Reading:

Bi Focal Contact Lenses

Colored Bifocal Contact Lenses

Bifocal Toric Contact Lenses

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