Bifocal Contact Lenses at Richardson Eye Associates
What do you do when you're diagnosed with presbyopia? That notorious age-related condition that requires many people to get eyewear that corrects at multiple distances? If you're like countless folks throughout the ages, including Ben Franklin himself, you might opt for bifocal eyeglasses that contain separate near and distance segments. What if you'd rather have contact lenses, though? There are bifocal contact lenses as well, and we've got them here at Richardson Eye Associates. Our Richardson, TX, optometry clinic can correct your presbyopia both discreetly and effectively.
Presbyopia and Corrective Lenses
Presbyopia is perhaps the only kind of refractive error associated with aging. As you pass the age of 40, it's natural for the lenses of your eyes to grow stiffer. This robs them of their ability to change shape easily, which means that you can't focus on near objects as well as you once could. If you also suffer from nearsightedness, then you'll need both distance-vision and near-vision correction. Bifocals have traditionally provided for that need by placing the distance-vision prescription in the top half of eyeglasses lenses and the near-vision prescription in the bottom half.
Contact lenses that correct for presbyopia operate on the same principle. Instead of just correcting your vision at one distance level, these specialized lenses contain both near segments and distance segments. As in the case of bifocal eyeglasses, your brain soon learns how to draw on the corrective field it needs at any given moment.
Your Contact Lens Options
Bifocal contact lenses are available in a few different options. For starters, you may be able to choose between soft bifocal contacts and more rigid GP (gas permeable) contacts. While soft bifocal contacts can be adequate for mild corrective prescriptions, it's usually easier to get optimal sharpness and clarity from GP bifocal contacts.
Bifocal contacts also correct for presbyopia using a couple of different approaches. Segmented bifocal contacts handle the problem just like bifocal eyeglasses do, by placing the near-vision segment toward the bottom of the lenses. Concentric bifocal contacts alternate near and distance vision in rings, with a distance correction at the center of this "bull's-eye" pattern. You might even opt for aspheric multifocal contacts that offer a blended transition, just like progressive lenses. Whichever design you choose, your brain can adjust to the positions of the different fields and select the right segment automatically after you’ve worn them for a while.
Schedule an Appointment at Our Richardson TX Optometry Center
Don't let presbyopia force you into eyeglasses if you would prefer contact lenses. Call our Richardson TX optometry center at (972) 231-3439 to learn more about our bifocal contacts!
