Giving Multifocal Contracts a Shot

cbb · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 08:51 PM

Hi,

I have never worn contacts or glasses, although I am slightly farsighted with astigmatism in one eye. Last time I was tested about a year ago, my vision with both eyes was 20/25 and could read some letters on the 20/20 line. I am 46 and getting to the point where I need reading correction. I was told my prescription for distance would be:

OD: +1.50 -.75 65
OS: +0.50 -.25 115

and the reading add is +1.25

I am hoping for good reading and computer vision with acceptable distance. I also spend a lot of time outdoors, so I understand that dust and wind could be a problem for some RGP lenses.

I am going to my optometrist soon and have scheduled a fitting and am realistic about my expections.

I would be interested in hearing what others have to say about their experiences with multifocal contacts, and especially those with a bit of astigmatism.

Thanks,

Colin

OPTIDONN · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 06:09 PM

Your astigmatism is pretty low so I would not worry much about that. Why would you want contacts? If needed you could get away with glasses for computer use. If your vision is starting to bug you you could just wear contacts for distance and glasses for computer usage. Your doctor should be willing to work with you on this.

cbb · #3 (**permalink**) 06-06-2005, 08:30 PM

I like the convenience of contacts and the ability to read without having to put on glasses. I work with computers and move around a lot, so leaving glasses behind when I need them is a likely possibility.

Colin

harrychiling · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2005, 07:44 AM

Multifocals contacts are great but do require work. The vision is not always optimal and will shift from time to time, make sure that your expectations for this lens are not to high. Another option is monovision (one eye for disatnce and one eye for close work), I know it sonds funky but a majority of the people that try it get used to it and really like it. There are a number of options that are available to you and with the baby boomers reaching the presbyopic stage in life more options will present themselves in the near future.

cbb · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrychiling

Multifocals contacts are great but do require work. The vision is not always optimal and will shift from time to time, make sure that your expectations for this lens are not to high. Another option is monovision (one eye for disatnce and one eye for close work), I know it sonds funky but a majority of the people that try it get used to it and really like it. There are a number of options that are available to you and with the baby boomers reaching the presbyopic stage in life more options will present themselves in the near future.

I think my expections are reasonable. I am not expecting 100% crisp vision, just the ability to function without requiring additional correction for routine tasks.

I am familiar with monovision and know people who are doing that. I sort of have monovision right now, as one eye is better for distance and the other for reading, but both are blurry, especially the close vision. Right now, I want to try multifocal contacts, but would be interested in monovision, if I multifocals don't work well for me.

I would be interested in what other options are currently available and what you see being available in the near and distant future.

Colin

OPTIDONN · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2005, 08:41 PM

It's good that you have realistic expectations. Any time you deal with either a multi focal contact lens or glasses for that matter there is always a compromise. You need three distinct focal lengths to be clear (or atleast reasonably so). Regular bifocal contacts will give you two areas of use, like glasses one for reading one for distance. As far as I know for monovision might not be the best for your needs. There are multifocal lenses out there that have a transitioning power. They are set up like a target with sveral concentric rings all with varying power. There are two designs. One where the center of the lens contains the reading power with that slowly giving way to the power needed for distance. The other design is the reverse. Reading power towards the periphery of the lens and distance power at the center. There are several designs out there. I hope that one will help. You are willing to understand that you may not have 'perfect' vision and you have an open mind. I am sure that you will find something that will work. And if you do let us know I would be very curious.

cbb · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPTIDONN

It's good that you have realistic expectations. Any time you deal with either a multi focal contact lens or glasses for that matter there is always a compromise. You need three distinct focal lengths to be clear (or atleast reasonably so). Regular bifocal contacts will give you two areas of use, like glasses one for reading one for distance. As far as I know for monovision might not be the best for your needs. There are multifocal lenses out there that have a transitioning power. They are set up like a target with sveral concentric rings all with varying power. There are two designs. One where the center of the lens contains the reading power with that slowly giving way to the power needed for distance. The other design is the reverse. Reading power towards the periphery of the lens and distance power at the center. There are several designs out there. I hope that one will help. You are willing to understand that you may not have 'perfect' vision and you have an open mind. I am sure that you will find something that will work. And if you do let us know I would be very curious.

Thank you for your response and explanations. I am beginning to understand how they work.

I will keep the forum updated as I go through the process, as I hope that it will be beneficial to others who are thinking about the same option.

They way I understand the fitting process, the OD will priorize on the the distance vision first and then work towards getting the reading vision correct.

I imagine they don't want you leaving unable to see in the distance and trying to drive home.

Colin

Tracie · #8 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 10:28 AM

I've worn contacts for years with glasses as back-up now and then. I started out with the old type of contacts, the hard plastic horrible little things that can scratch your eye and are not at all comfortable.

After that, I've tried Accuvue, Bausch & Lamb (sp ?) and Focus. With all of them I get some improvement in close-up vision. My distance is nearly 20/20. The problem with ALL of the multifocal contacts that I've tried is that I lose some of the crispness in my distance vision. Driving at night is not safe with contacts for me. This is really annoying. I'm about ready to give up and just use glasses.

I've tried the monovision with a contact in one eye only. This can cause headaches until your eyes adjust to this but even this got to the point where I was having trouble with small print. As far as telephone books go, I pretty much don't use them. The print is too small unless I put my glasses on.

I've never tried Toric lenses. I heard good things about them but I also heard they are very expensive compared to multifocal lenses.

I don't think of myself as being a vain person. I just don't like the feel of glasses on my face. I feel like I'm hiding behind a mask.

If anyone has a suggestion as to how I can correct my close-up vision with slight astismatism without losing my distance vision and do this all with contacts I'd be forever grateful. If there is no solution, that's o.k., too. I guess I just needed to vent.

)

Have a nice day!

l

OPTIDONN · #9 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 07:55 PM

With soft lenses there will always be a bit of a compromise. The reason is this. With typical soft lens bi-focals the powers are set up in a concentric circle form. With either distance in the center and reading towards the periphery and visa versa. So you are looking through both near and far powers. Your brain then selects the images that are needed. Monovison has has one eye for distance and the other for reading and once again lets the brain select the image that is needed. As you are looking through differant powers you dont get the same crispness that you normaly would with glasses or regular contacts. With the help of your doctor you should be able to improve your vision with contacts (at least as much as can be expected). If you try something that works let us know I would be very curious.

Tracie · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2005, 11:56 AM

Went to the optometrist yesterday. She's ordering two different strengths of contacts, Cooper Vision multifocal (I think). We'll try both strengths, maybe the same strength in each eye or maybe different strengths. She says that these contacts may be my best chance at correcting my close-up without losing too much clarity on distance. I think these contacts are fairly new on the market. I've never heard of them. I'm not optimistic but I'll give it a shot.

Until these new contacts come in, I'm not wearing my old contacts. Trying to get used to my no-line, bifocal glasses and a pair of cheapie reading glasses. Life's a compromise. I'm not going to let this little glitch ruin my day. There are much worse things people have to cope with.

)

cbb · #11 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 05:45 PM

I recently went for a contact lens fitting. As in the past, I had problems with anterior basement membrane dystophy (ABMD) and had to have PTK surgery on both eyes, my optometrist said that silicone hydrogel lenses were the best option for me, as he didn't want to contact lenses to aggravate my ABMD, which makes complete sense. As silicone hydrogel aren't currently available in bifocal lenses, he suggested monovision. As I currently have better distance in one eye and better reading with the other eye and there won't be a huge difference between my two eyes, he thought that I should have no problem adjusting.

As I need a plus toric lens in the right eye, I understand that the only current option is Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, so that is what has been ordered for my right eye and Acuvue Advance for my left eye. My timing couldn't have been better, as the Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism just come out in my prescription this week (at least in Canada). I have heard mixed reviews on the Acuvue Advance lenses, but am looking forward to trying them when they come in.

I guess in the future, more options such as (bifocal silicone hydrogel) will be available for people like myself, but this is the route that I will be proceeding for now.

Colin