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Need Reading Glasses? Try Contact Lenses for Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common vision issue that is a natural process which occurs with age. While eyeglasses can correct this issue, contact lenses may be preferred by those who live a more active lifestyle.

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Need Reading Glasses? Try Contact Lenses for Presbyopia Videos

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is an issue that usually presents with age, that causes blurred near vision. It typically starts to affect people at around age 40, even those who have never had vision problems before.

When the condition first manifests, a person will feel a need to squint or hold reading materials further than usual from them in order to properly focus. Other common symptoms include headaches, eye strain, and fatigue.

Most experts believe presbyopia is caused by changes to the eye’s lens. As someone ages, the lens gets harder and less flexible, leading to an increased difficulty focusing on nearby objects.

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Contact Lenses to Correct Presbyopia

For many people who realize they are in the early stages of presbyopia, contact lenses will be a better option as they allow for a more active lifestyle than glasses. Also, contacts make it less obvious that someone requires vision correction.

Bifocal Contacts

Bifocal contact lenses are a popular choice for presbyopia correction. They come in both soft and gas permeable (rigid) materials. These lenses have two distinct powers: one for distance vision and another for near vision. The arrangement of these powers can differ based on your needs; for example, the near power might be in the center with the far vision on the outer part, or vice versa. Your eye doctor will guide you in choosing the best bifocal layout based on your vision needs.

Multifocal Contacts

Like bifocal lenses, multifocal contacts offer multiple prescriptions in a single lens. However, the power transitions gradually, mimicking the natural behavior of progressive eyeglass lenses. They are available in both soft and rigid gas permeable materials. Multifocal lenses can be daily disposables or extended wear, depending on your lifestyle and eye health. These are particularly useful if you also require intermediate vision correction. Learn more about bifocal and multifocal contact lenses.

Monovision Contacts

Monovision is another approach to treating presbyopia. In this setup, one eye is corrected for near vision and the other for distance. Your eyes will naturally adjust depending on whether you are looking at something close or far away. This method might take some getting used to, but many find it effective.

Hybrid Contacts

Hybrid contact lenses offer a rigid gas permeable center and a soft lens skirt. The rigid center provides clear, sharp vision, while the soft skirt offers comfort. They're a bit more expensive but can offer the best of both worlds for presbyopia patients who also want comfort.

Extended Wear Contacts

For those who prefer the convenience of not having to remove lenses daily, extended wear contacts can be a good option. These lenses are designed to be safe for overnight wear, but it's crucial to consult your eye care professional to ensure that they are appropriate for your specific eye condition.

Remember, the most suitable type of lens for you will depend on various factors including your lifestyle, eye health, and specific vision needs. Always consult your optometrist for personalized advice

For Additional Questions

For Additional Questions

If you have other questions regarding your personal situation, or more questions in general about the contact lens options for correcting your presbyopia, you should consult your eye care professionals.

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Common Questions

There are a few different ones so I'll hit off on the most commonly used. The flat tops are the most commonly used. They have a straight hard line that separates the distance from the reading portion. Flat top 28 - Bifocal width will be 28mm Flat top 35 - Bifocal width will be 35mm. There are also rounded bifocal - The bifocal is round instead of the traditional half circle. There is another style called blended bifocal which is less noticeable because it does not stand out as the lined bifocal by eliminating the hard line and introducing a softer, smoother and rounded edge to the reading section.Then we have executive style which is essentially a flat top but with altered measurements that make the reading portion the entirety of the Rx below the line and distance Rx above it. Lastly we have Double D - Theses lenses have a bifocal on top of the lens and on the bottom
First it’s important to treat the patient’s dry eyes, but yes there are contact lenses for dry eye sufferers. Daily disposable contact lenses, specifically with a silicone hydrogel material, are the best type of soft contact lenses for patients suffering with dry eyes. These lenses, depending on the brand, allow for more oxygen permeability and are more hygienic on the eyes. With daily disposable contact lenses these are single-use contacts that are discarded after one day’s use, so they are less prone to lens deposits accumulating. Also, daily disposable contacts are sometimes found to feel more comfortable due to the thinner nature of the lens. Depending on the severity of dry eyes, there are also specialty hard contact lenses to help patients with severe dry eyes; such as scleral lenses.
This is really up to what your Doctor recommends after your examination. They will consider not only acuities but how your eyes function as a team. This is important because not all eyes can use the varied options of lenses for presbyopia. One of the better options is a digital progressive lens. Made with start of the art technology its one of the more comfortable options for people. Second to that, if the person has adaptation issues with a progressive design then a traditional bifocal or trifocal would be best.
Trivex lenses a certain material that lenses are made of. Lens material is usually broken into a few categories such as: CR-39, Polycarbonate, Trivex, and Hi-Index. Each one has it's perks and cons. Trivex is a highly rated impact resistant, lightweight and UV protected lens. It also has a higher abbe value compared to polycarbonate meaning the light moves through the lens a little cleaner making the vision more crisp and clear.
Definitely. Contact lenses are a medical device placed on your eye so you need a proper contact lens evaluation by your eye doctor. During the contact lens evaluation your eye doctor will determine which modality and what specific brand of contact lens is best for you. Different contacts come in different contact lens parameters, such as the power, curvature and diameter of the lens. Thus, it’s imperative for your eye doctor to conduct a proper contact lens evaluation to ensure proper vision and fit of the lens. This is especially important to reduce any risk of contact lens associated infections or eye problems/discomfort.
Progressive lenses are a touch tricky to explain but let's just review the basics. We can think if a progressive lens as a trifocal, a lens with three different prescriptions, without a line. It's composed of a distance zone, intermediate or computer/office zone, and a reading zone. In-between these three zones are a steady gradation of increasing or decreasing powers, relative to direction, which aid in viewing from distance to near. As the eye "progresses" up and down the lens these little quarter steps between focal points keeps everything clear and in order for us.
Transition lenses are lenses that tint upon being exposed to UV light. What this means is that when sunlight hits the lens it will darken and in the absence of sunlight it will revert to its clear form. The transition, or photochromic element, is available on all types of materials from plastic to polycarbonate.
There are two types of progressive or PAL lenses. Conventional PALs use the same template or design for every lens and every patient. This can lend itself to distortion or other visual issues for some wearers. Digital progressive lenses are tailor made using software to construct a progressive thats unique to every wearer. They do this by utilizing measurements specific to each wearer. This reduces or eliminates distortion, non-adapts, improves comfortability and clarity. All in all, digital progressive lenses are a good route to take when looking to manage presbyopia.
Progressive lenses are similar to bifocals in having more than one prescription in them. However, whereas bifocals have two distinct and clearly separated areas of vision, progressives have a little more to them. In a progressive lens there are no hard, or curved lines, that visibly separate zones of vision. The lens is constructed in a way to gradually shift between distance, intermediate and reading zones in a comfortable and almost invisible progression.
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Summary

Don’t let your presbyopia and need for corrective lenses hold you back from an active lifestyle. There are several options available regarding contact lenses to correct your vision. If you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment, you can reach out to your nearest Amplify EyeCare practice either via a call or in-person visit. Our team of eye care professionals is ready and equipped to provide you with the care you need.

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