Are you over 40 and struggling to read small print? You might have presbyopia, a condition that affects many of those reaching their 40s. But, this doesn't mean that those who already have glasses for distance vision are required to own two pairs of glasses and constantly switch between them. This is all thanks to multifocal lenses, which help you with both problems, making sure you always see clearly.
In the past, bifocals were widely prescribed, but they weren't all that great; while they correct problems with both near and distant objects, everything else is blurred. In an effort to fix this problem, progressive lenses were invented, which offer a transition part of the lens allowing your eyes to focus on the area between near and far distances. Progressive lenses, which are also called no-line lenses, are a type of multifocal lens that have a subtle curvature across the lens surface instead of a sharp line dividing both parts of the lens.
However, it can take some time to adjust to no-line lenses. Even though the gentle lens curve results in a product that is aesthetically pleasing, the focal areas are relatively small because the transitional areas also take up space.
Bifocals are still used though; they are helpful for kids and teens who have a hard time focusing when reading.
Although it may seem like an easy fix, it's best to steer clear of pharmacy bifocals. A lot of these ''ready-made'' glasses have the same prescription in both lenses, which will not help a lot of people.
If you've been fitted with the wrong prescription you could end up suffering from headaches, eye strain or even nausea. Presbyopia affects the majority of us when we reach a certain age, but it doesn't have to be restricting. A good pair of multifocals will ensure that your quality of life isn't affected.
