There are many beautiful things about getting older, but struggling to read the menu isn’t one of them! As we age, it’s normal to notice a decline in vision, particularly in the ability to focus on nearby objects. For many people, it’s caused by a very common condition known as presbyopia, which can have a significant impact on your lifestyle. Thankfully, multifocal lenses are here to help.
But what are multifocal lenses, how do they work, and will they really help you get through the day without squinting? While you prep to visit your local optometrist, read on to learn more about age-related vision loss, and you’ll get everything about multifocal lenses explained.
Understanding Presbyopia: Age-Related Farsightedness
Presbyopia is a common condition that affects the eye’s ability to focus on objects that are close by. It typically starts to present by the mid-40s and gradually worsens over time, with most people experiencing significant presbyopia by their mid-60s.
What Causes Presbyopia?
As you age, the lenses in your eye become gradually less flexible and cannot adequately thicken, making it harder to bring objects close by into sharp focus. While the symptoms of presbyopia gradually occur, this change is a normal part of ageing. It can lead to blurred close-up vision, causing difficulties with activities like reading, driving, sewing, or even using your smartphone.
For many people, the onset of presbyopia is gradual. You may find yourself holding objects at arm’s length to see them clearly, squinting to improve focus, experiencing tired eyes when reading, and even headaches.
Because presbyopia is a natural — albeit annoying — part of ageing, many people eventually need some form of vision correction to help manage these changes. Options include reading glasses, contact lenses, and multifocal lenses. Today, we’re focusing on multifocal lenses — a popular presbyopia treatment option for those seeking a single solution to correct both near and distant vision.
What are Multifocal Lenses?
As the name suggests, multifocal lenses are eyeglass lenses that provide clear vision at different focal lengths. Simply put, they can help you see up close and far away without switching your glasses.
Whether you’re used to wearing glasses or not, there are many benefits to wearing multifocal lenses, giving you a versatile and adaptive way to manage your symptoms of presbyopia. Imagine this — you’re out at a restaurant, and it’s time to order. Instead of putting on a separate pair of reading glasses, squinting to see the fine print, or having to hold the menu at arm’s length, you can simply read the menu clearly by looking through the lower area of your glasses. Then, you can get back to chatting with your friends across the table like nothing ever happened!
How Do Multifocal Lenses Work?
At their core, multifocal lenses are designed to mimic how your eyes naturally move as you go about your day. The different regions of the lens have different prescriptions to match the distance you’re likely looking. For example, we tend to hold small things close to us in our hands, so it is only natural that the “reading” portion of the lens is at the bottom.
The process of assigning these zones is no accident, either. When developing multifocal lenses, the goal is to be able to shift between looking close up and far away as smoothly as possible. This optical balance is key to minimising distortions and keeping your vision as clear and ‘natural’ as possible. Multifocal lenses are available in various configurations to help separate the focal zones to match your needs and lifestyle.
Types of Multifocal Lenses
Multifocal lenses are a broad term to describe any pair of glasses with more than one prescription or focal length in each lens. But don’t worry — while it helps to know your options, your optometrist will recommend the best choice for your needs. The options available include:
Bifocal Lenses
These lenses have two distinct sections, split horizontally by a visible line. The upper portion is used for distance vision, while the lower is designed for reading or seeing objects up close.
Trifocal Lenses
Trifocals extend the concept of bifocals by adding a third segment for intermediate vision, which makes them especially useful when using computers and other electronic devices. They feature three distinct zones for close-up, intermediate, and distance vision.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses offer a gradual transition between different focal lengths. There is no visible line, and the power changes smoothly from the top to the bottom of the lens. This design not only corrects for distance and near vision but also provides a more natural experience for middle-distance tasks.
The Benefits of Multifocal Lenses
Okay, now you know more about presbyopia and how multifocal lenses work. But what makes them the right choice for you over, say, carrying a separate pair of reading glasses? The benefits of multifocal lenses are hard to deny — here are some ways they can ease the burden of age-related farsightedness:
1. See Clearly Over Multiple Distances
Because presbyopia usually develops gradually, many people don’t realise how much they squint during their daily lives. Multifocal lenses help you see clearly at near, middle, and far distances — a luxury you may not even realise you’ve been missing out on!
2. Convenience and Versatility
Sure, reading glasses can help you see up close, but putting them on and off multiple times a day can feel laborious. Multifocal lenses provide flexibility to adapt to your visual needs, no matter what your day has in store.
3. Embrace Your Style
Modern multifocal lenses are designed not only to correct your vision but also to look good. Advanced lens technology makes these lenses thinner and lighter than ever, ensuring they fit your specific lifestyle needs and aesthetics. No need to worry about any ‘coke bottle’ comments! Visit your local Eyecare Plus location, where you’ll find a pair of multifocal lenses for every style.
4. Cost-Effective Over Time
While multifocal lenses may have a higher upfront cost than single-vision lenses, they often prove more cost-effective in the long run. Without needing to buy multiple pairs of glasses, you’ll likely save on glasses over time!
5. Increased Comfort and Reduced Eye Strain
By providing clear vision across multiple distances, multifocal lenses help reduce the effort your eyes need to exert when constantly refocusing. This can help lessen eye strain, especially if you spend long hours reading or working on a computer.
Beyond Multifocals: Other Presbyopia Treatment Options
Losing vision as you age is one of the unfortunate realities of life, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to take control. Here are some other ways to manage presbyopia alongside multifocal lenses:
Reading Glasses
Reading glasses are a common and simple solution for presbyopia — they’re inexpensive and easy to use. However, they are only effective for close-up tasks, requiring you to swap them with other kinds of lenses when you’re involved in other activities.
Monovision Contact Lenses
With monovision contact lenses, one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision. While this option can work well for some, others may find the adjustment challenging, where your depth perception can sometimes be affected.
Surgical Options
Procedures like LASIK or lens implants offer permanent solutions, but they come with higher costs and potential risks that must be carefully considered.
Find Your Multifocal Lenses at Eyecare Plus
Getting older is a fact of life, but dealing with age-related farsightedness doesn’t have to be! Multifocal lenses are a convenient, adaptable way to transition into this new stage of your life — all without constantly reaching for reading specs.
If you’re ready to take control of your vision, look no further than Eyecare Plus. As independent Australian optometrists, we are committed to helping you find the best vision options for your condition, lifestyle, and preferences. And when it comes to presbyopia, we can help fit you in a pair of multifocal lenses that will make you forget you were ever squinting!
Find a local Eyecare Plus optometrist near you, or call 1300 EYECARE to start your journey to clear vision today.
