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.
If you are wearing reading glasses, bifocals, or struggling to read this article, bifocal contact lenses are a great option, but are not 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.
Signs you might not be the best candidate: very dry eyes, having an eye that doesn't seem very well even with the best correction, an intense fear of touching your eyes, high amounts of astigmatism, and the need for crystal clear vision.
Because every person experiences bifocal contact lenses differently, it may take several fittings with vastly different lens combinations before finding the lenses that work best for you. your vision cannot be as clear with bifocal contact lenses as it would with bifocal glasses. Anyone considering bifocal contact lenses should understand this prior to trying on any type of bifocal contact lens.
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.
If you want to learn more about whether you are a good candidate or not then please contact a local Eye Doctor complete evaluation. If you're interested in trying contact lenses or bifocal contact lenses but aren't sure you want to risk the money on something that might not work, then stop worrying because many Eye Doctors offer patients a No Risk Contact Lens Guarantee. If you decide not to do contacts for any reason then you'll receive a refund on all fees associated with the fitting or purchasing of contact lenses. - 16083
If you are wearing reading glasses, bifocals, or struggling to read this article, bifocal contact lenses are a great option, but are not 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.
Signs you might not be the best candidate: very dry eyes, having an eye that doesn't seem very well even with the best correction, an intense fear of touching your eyes, high amounts of astigmatism, and the need for crystal clear vision.
Because every person experiences bifocal contact lenses differently, it may take several fittings with vastly different lens combinations before finding the lenses that work best for you. your vision cannot be as clear with bifocal contact lenses as it would with bifocal glasses. Anyone considering bifocal contact lenses should understand this prior to trying on any type of bifocal contact lens.
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.
If you want to learn more about whether you are a good candidate or not then please contact a local Eye Doctor complete evaluation. If you're interested in trying contact lenses or bifocal contact lenses but aren't sure you want to risk the money on something that might not work, then stop worrying because many Eye Doctors offer patients a No Risk Contact Lens Guarantee. If you decide not to do contacts for any reason then you'll receive a refund on all fees associated with the fitting or purchasing of contact lenses. - 16083
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.
