How Do Bifocal Contact Lenses Compare to Bifocal Glasses?

KITT · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 05:58 PM

According to some posts on this site and others like it, most people agree that your vision is crisper and clearer with glasses than it is with contact lenses. My question is, can the same be said about bifocals? Bifocal glasses won't turn on you, but I think Bifocal Contact Lenses have something to keep them straight, don't they?
If you've tried both bifocal glasses and bifocal contacts, please post a note here and tell us about it.

EYEBIKE1 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 04:04 PM

You will generally see clearer with bifocal or progressive eyeglasses than any bifocal/multifocal contact lens.

KITT · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 04:42 PM

Thanks, EYEBIKE1. It's nice to check back with the website and find that someone has answered my question. Thanks.
While we're on the subject, would you happen to know why glasses work better than contacts in this case?

EYEBIKE1 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 11:20 AM

Because with bifocal contacts, they generally use a simultaneous vision approach. You are always looking through the distance correction and the near correction at the same time. It's not like bifocal glasses where you actually have to point your eyes down to look through the bifocal portion. So with the contact lenses, it analagous to listening to 2 people talking to you simultaneously and you have to concentrate on what one person is actually saying to you. Generally, the near correction is in the middle of the lens and the distance peripherally, except the Acuvue Bifocal with uses alternating concentric rings of distance and near correction--think bull's eye pattern.

KITT · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EYEBIKE1

Because with bifocal contacts, they generally use a simultaneous vision approach. You are always looking through the distance correction and the near correction at the same time. It's not like bifocal glasses where you actually have to point your eyes down to look through the bifocal portion. So with the contact lenses, it analagous to listening to 2 people talking to you simultaneously and you have to concentrate on what one person is actually saying to you. Generally, the near correction is in the middle of the lens and the distance peripherally, except the Acuvue Bifocal with uses alternating concentric rings of distance and near correction--think bull's eye pattern.

I'm glad you're a part of Lens 101 Eyebike. Keep up the good work.