any first time multifocal contact wearers out there

annavannote · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 12:46 PM

hi everyone
im a new member and wanted to say hi.
i have recently been needing reading glasses for the last 6 months and have decided to get bifocals. however i would like to get contacts. i have never worn them before. are there any first time contact wearers out there with the same experience and got multifocal lenses, how did they work for you. an info would help

golfandsew · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:08 PM

I had tried bifocal glasses 4 times and could never get used to them, opted for the 30 day multifocal and absolutely LOVE them.

HMBgal · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 06:27 PM

I have mulitfocal lenses and love them. I have progressive bifocal eyeglasses and love them, too. But, I really want to wear contacts for various reasons. I have to admit that I cannot see as well with my contacts; I need reading glasses for computer work and reading. But, my near correction prescription is quite high. The way my optometrist explained it to me was that you have to find a middle ground between far and near vision. Legally, you need 20/40 correction to drive (at least here in California). I got the strongest near add that my lens manufacturer has (2.50) and it still isn't enough to let me see up close comfortably. I can squint and make out 12 point font or so, but really, I need reading glasses. It's a tradeoff for me. I can put my makeup on with ease, which is nice, I can see far quite well. But, it's hard for me to go into a bookstore and look at books, or read the small print on food labels. It's a pain to lug around reading glasses, but not as much of a pain for me as having glasses on my face all day. For reference, I wear Proclear multifocals, and use the multifocal toric for mild astigmatism in my dominant eye.

Good luck with finding something that works well for you. I did have much better vision correction with RGPs rather than soft contacts, but I just couldn't get used to the RGPs. I may try them again someday. My doctor only had me try one type and I think I had a sensitivity to the material.

Lynda Baldelli · #4 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 04:31 PM

I found that the multi focals were very different according to brand. Some brands were completely misty, or I couldn't see distance if I could see close up! It was a nightmare for the first 12 months to be honest. But I kept trying different brands and finally found that B&L Purevision AND Soflens were the best vision for me.

With presbyopia, it's a difficult prescription - but you don't always have to sacrifice distance for close. I tried Acuvue and couldn't see further than 30ft clearly - yet the same prescription in B&L enables me to see waaaay in the distance as well as a close up good enough to read books by.

Don't settle for 'good enough' - keep trying until you find lenses which suit you - would be my advice!

dboo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 09:13 AM

I really don't understan how the multifocual contacts work. How exactly can you see far and near with contacts. Just wondering if someone could clear this up for me.

Lynda Baldelli · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboo

I really don't understan how the multifocual contacts work. How exactly can you see far and near with contacts. Just wondering if someone could clear this up for me.

I suppose it's a little like varifocal glasses? Sorry not a technical answer like you asked, but I can help by saying that you can indeed see near and far with contacts - however the heck it works!!!

JTKirk · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboo

I really don't understand how the multifocal contacts work. How exactly can you see far and near with contacts. Just wondering if someone could clear this up for me.

I'll do my best to clear this up for you.

Multifocal contact lenses come in several designs. One is the "concentric" design that's like a bull's eye. There are concentric rings that alternate close vision and distance vision. With practice you can learn to focus through the right portion of the lenses to see near or far as needed.

Another design is called "alternating image." This is only available, as far as I know, in rigid gas perm contacts. These are like tiny bifocals that sit in your eyes, with the top part for far vision and the the lower part for close vision. They have a flattened edge to keep them from rotating out of control.

Then you have what's called "simultaneous image designs." With these lenses the part that helps you read is in the center and things in the distance are seen with the edges of the lenses. Like the concentric design, it takes practice to get the hang of these lenses.

I hope that helps.

Lynda Baldelli · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 02:30 PM

But if that's what I do - I haven't realised it? I haven't needed to practice anything? Now I'M confused! :lol:

dboo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTKirk

I'll do my best to clear this up for you.

Multifocal contact lenses come in several designs. One is the "concentric" design that's like a bull's eye. There are concentric rings that alternate close vision and distance vision. With practice you can learn to focus through the right portion of the lenses to see near or far as needed.

Another design is called "alternating image." This is only available, as far as I know, in rigid gas perm contacts. These are like tiny bifocals that sit in your eyes, with the top part for far vision and the the lower part for close vision. They have a flattened edge to keep them from rotating out of control.

Then you have what's called "simultaneous image designs." With these lenses the part that helps you read is in the center and things in the distance are seen with the edges of the lenses. Like the concentric design, it takes practice to get the hang of these lenses.

I hope that helps.

It does help, thank you very much. It clears it up a lot. Thank you.