Bifocal contact lenses have been around a long time. You wouldn’t know that because in the past they were pretty uncomfortable so people with presbyopia have tended to choose actual glasses. Bifocals are usually prescribed for those who are starting to experience presbyopia which is an aging problem of the eye where you can’t focus the same at different distances. As the population ages more of us will be exploring what our options are for this type of problem.
Last year was the first year that my eye doctor actually considered my presbyopia severe enough to prescribe a solution. As a baby boomer it was hard to accept that my eyes were aging. I have had the need for some form of glasses or contact since I was in middle school because of my nearsightedness. This means I can’t see things in the distance. When I started having problems reading menus in restaurants and having to hold my books as far away from my face as I could I knew the time was coming to make the decision.
I decided to try progressive lenses because for the most part I walk around with glasses anyway. I did not like the idea of having to carry and switch between the two pairs of glasses. If that doesn’t make you look old it definitely makes you feel old. Though I use the progressive lenses every day I still am not comfortable with them since it seems I have to move my head in order to get to the right part of the lens. I have been told I should not be moving my head and instead should be moving my eyes. Either way you can see that what you think is a solution to your vision problems may not work as you expect.
There are a variety of companies that sell bifocal contact lenses. Acuvue is a well known brand and I have used their contact lenses before. They seem to be available as both disposable and long term wear as well. Gas permeable and
rigid bifocal contact lenses to be available. Your choice will probably depend on whether you are a daily contact lens wearer or are more comfortable with eye glasses. I have found that since I use contact lenses only occasionally I prefer the disposable kind. I think I would choose those for the type of bifocal contact lenses that I would try.
The need for bifocals or progressives of any kind may be more than just cosmetic. Nowadays it is hard to find people who do not work in some sort of environment where they have to be reading something. Though the typical professions of business, law and medicine come to mind think about the plumbers, electricians and contractors that need to read as part of their jobs.
Bifocal contact lenses look like a promising alternative to my progressive lens eye glasses. Before deciding though I will definitely do more research. Free trials are definitely something I will incorporate into my research. Many times eye doctors lead you away from contact lenses because once you get the prescriptions you have more options for buying them outside of their office. Whether you love your doctor or not you have to make the decision that is right for your day to day activities.