If you happen to experience refractive errors in vision, your prescription would probably recommend a bifocal or multifocal contact lens. People experiencing presbyopia or a decline in sight due to normal aging find these types of lenses immensely beneficial for themselves. Once you cross forty, you would be holding newspapers, magazines, or even your phone at a distance from your eyes. Bifocal and multifocal contact lenses would help you cope with these issues.
Both these types of lenses come in rigid gas permeable and soft materials. Besides, you can purchase them in hybrid contact lenses.
Difference between multifocal and bifocal contact lenses
In bifocal contact lenses, the same lenses would have two prescriptions. On the other hand, there would be a range of prescriptions for multifocal contact lenses. This is similar to progressive eyeglasses that you might be familiar with.
Also, the term multifocal contact lens encompasses all types of lenses that have more than a single power. This way, multifocal lenses include bifocal lenses as well.
How do bifocal and multifocal lenses work?
The operational system of various multifocal and bifocal lenses is different. It primarily comes under three categories, depending on the design of the lenses.
1. Segmented designs
These are rigid gas permeable lenses that serve the same function as trifocal and bifocal eyeglasses. The top and center portions have the right viewing power to make distant objects visible in these lenses. In the lower part of the lens, there is a magnifying power that helps the user view objects near them. Lenses with segmented designs are also termed translating or alternating design lenses.
2. Simultaneous vision designs
Contact lenses with simultaneous vision design have specific parts designated to enable optimal view for rear and far away objects. One can also view intermediate objects through these lenses. The eyes use the specific parts of the lenses, depending on the viewed object, to obtain the sharpest vision.
3. Annular designs
Annular designs also termed as concentric designs, contain far and near prescriptions organized in a bulls-eye pattern. The outer ring might contain the near prescription, while the inner one might include the distance correction or vice versa. If you have a large pupil, a lens with near vision in the center would be ideal for you. On the other hand, people with small pupils should go for lenses with the far vision in the center.
What are the different types of multifocal and bifocal lenses?
Multifocal and bifocal lenses might come under different categories. Have a look at some of these types of multifocal lenses.
- The traditional soft contacts are meant to be used on certain occasions. Your eyes can easily get adjusted to these lenses, and they offer adequate comfort.
- With silicone hydrogel soft lenses, the eyes would reach more oxygen.
- Again, there are RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses, where the material permits the eyes to get adequate oxygen to stay healthy. However, it would take longer for your eyes to get adjusted.
Apart from this, you also have daily disposable, hybrid, and alcon contact lenses. Purchase your contact lenses online from reputable and leading brands to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.