How Can Patients Benefit from Bifocal Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses have long been a convenient alternative to glasses, allowing patients to participate more comfortably in sports and other activities without worry. Not only that but for patients who prefer their appearance without glasses, contacts are seen as a superior aesthetic choice. Once we reach the age where our eyes begin to have difficulty with small text and close-up vision, bifocals or readers may be needed — leaving many men and women to assume that contacts will no longer be adequate for their vision needs. Fortunately, bifocal and multifocal contact lenses — both of which are available to our patients at inVision Ophthalmology Tuscaloosa — can give patients all the benefits of regular contact lenses in addition to the benefits of traditional readers or reading glasses.

What are bifocal contact lenses?

Bifocal contact lenses are contacts that contain two different prescriptions, allowing the patient to see objects in the distance and objects nearby (or close up) clearly without having to use bifocal reading glasses. Bifocal contacts typically have the reading prescription along the lower portion of the lens, though some types of bifocal contacts have the second prescription around the periphery of the lens. Another type of specialized contact lens is known as a multifocal contact. While similar to bifocal contacts in terms of allowing the patient to switch between multiple focal points easily and clearly, multifocal contacts may contain three or more different prescriptions.

Why should I get bifocal contact lenses?

If you use glasses for general vision and/or to see objects in the distance but now also require reading glasses for close-up objects and text, you may enjoy the many benefits of bifocal lenses, such as:

• Obviates the need for glasses and/or reading glasses
• Allows your eyes to quickly switch between focal points
• Allows you to see up close and far away with a single device
• Makes it easier and more comfortable to play sports and participate in other activities
• No need to sacrifice your preferred appearance
• Available in disposable, daily wear, and other options to meet your preference

Is my bifocal contact prescription the same as my glasses prescription?

No. Generally speaking, contact lens prescriptions — whether bifocal or not — will be different from your regular prescription for eyeglasses. This is because eyeglasses sit further away from your eye, on the bridge of your nose, while contacts are placed directly against the eye itself. To determine your prescription(s) for contacts or bifocal contacts, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with one of our qualified ophthalmologists.

Can children wear bifocal contacts?

Most children do not require bifocal or multifocal contact lenses. However, children still can be considered candidates for contact lenses versus eyeglasses. Whether or not your child can wear contacts will depend on a number of factors, including their prescription and specific vision problems, their maturity and responsibility level in keeping up with and maintaining their contacts, and others. Again, the best way to know whether contact lenses are right for you (or your child) is to schedule an exam with us.

Trade in your bifocals for contact lenses in Tuscaloosa, AL

If you are tired of always having to track down a pair of readers for the simplest of tasks, you may be excited to learn more about the convenience of bifocal contact lenses. To find out whether bifocal contacts are right for you, call us at inVision Ophthalmology Tuscaloosa to schedule your consultation and comprehensive eye exam with one of our Tuscaloosa, AL ophthalmologists today.