Have you noticed that you're suddenly struggling to read the fine print on a menu or your smartphone? If you're over 40, you're likely experiencing presbyopia, the natural loss of elasticity in your eye's lens that makes focusing on close objects difficult.
Many people think that once this happens, they're stuck wearing reading glasses or bifocals for the rest of their lives. That's simply not true anymore.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our team help patients regain their visual freedom with advanced contact lens technology.
While 50% of people who wear glasses are interested in trying contacts, only 10% say they've ever been offered multifocal options. We don't want you to miss out on a solution that could make your daily life much easier.
Multifocal lenses feature multiple zones of vision correction in a single lens. This allows you to see clearly at a distance, up close, and everywhere in between without having to switch between pairs of glasses.
It's a common myth that these lenses are too expensive or difficult to wear. In reality, modern contact lenses are highly comparable in price to high-quality progressive eyeglass lenses. They're also available in "toric" designs, which means they can correct astigmatism (an irregular curve of the eye) and presbyopia simultaneously.
The three main signs that you're ready for multifocal lenses include the need to hold reading materials further away, a dependency on brighter light, and frequent eye strain or headaches. Here's how these signs show up in your daily routine.
If you're constantly moving your phone or a book back and forth to find the "sweet spot" where the text is clear, your eyes aren't focusing efficiently on close-up tasks.
You might find that you can't read comfortably unless you're sitting directly under a lamp or using your phone's flashlight to see a menu in a dimly lit restaurant.
Experiencing dull headaches or a stinging sensation after using your computer is a sign of asthenopia, which is generalized ocular fatigue caused by your eyes working too hard to focus.
Successful lens wear is all about managing expectations. These lenses won't necessarily restore your vision to how it was when you were 16, but they'll allow you to navigate an active life without the hassle of reading glasses.
Success also depends on your brain's ability to adapt. Research shows that about 53% of presbyopic contact lens wearers globally use multifocals because they provide a better quality of life. We usually recommend a 14-day trial period to let your brain build the necessary neural pathways to process the new visual zones.
You don't have to settle for blurry vision or the inconvenience of carrying around multiple pairs of glasses. If you're ready to see clearly again, our team is here to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle. A comprehensive eye exam is the first step.
To see if multifocal lenses are right for you, call or visit us online to schedule an appointment at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.