Multifocal lenses

Multifocal lenses are a type of lens in which there is more than a single prescription in each lens. Basically, these lenses have several corrective powers which mean that they allow you to see objects close to and far away at the same time.

In order to do this the differing corrective powers are found within separate sections within each lens.

Design of multifocal lenses

Imagine a lens being divided into sections in which the corrective power for short sightedness is in one section and the corrective power for long sightedness is in another section. They are also ideal for people with presbyopia.

But the lens may be designed so that the corrective powers gradually change throughout the lens, are blended or alternate in different areas.

Adapting to multifocal lenses

Whatever the design, what it does mean is training your brain to process information from different areas. Your eyes have to become accustomed to looking at objects at different distances which can take a bit of getting used to.

Some people find this easier than others.

But your brain is highly adaptable and very quickly learns to choose the right corrective power according to the distance of the object. So it is worth persevering with these lenses.

There is a choice between soft or gas permeable lenses. Plus there is a choice in terms of whether you wear these lenses all day or just at certain times of the day.

Some people combine these contact lenses with wearing glasses. They wear their glasses for a period of time and then swap to contact lenses for the other time.