Tag: presbyopia

Bifocal Contact Lenses

For a majority of us, presbyopia is something we have to live with. In definition, presbyopia is the lack of focusing on things in close range. The cause for this, is the lens in our eyes becoming less and less flexible as we grow older. The bad part is, most of us will need some type of corrective lenses, such as contact lenses or glasses and possibly even bifocals at some point in our lives as this condition gets worse.

Up until recently, those who wore bifocals had very limited options when they chose their corrective lenses. Years ago, glasses that contained bifocal lenses were just about the only option available. Over the years, no-line lenses were created, and glasses became a bit more attractive. This was a very definitive time for bifocal correction lenses, as they looked a lot better than they ever did in the past – eliminating the bulky and unattractive appearance they were well known for.

Now days, you can find many different types of bifocal contact lenses on the market. They are gaining in popularity, as they give those who wear bifocal glasses a very attractive alternative to wearing bulky glasses. They are very affordable as well – which makes them a more popular choice in the world of corrective lenses.

What many may not realize, is the fact that bifocal contacts are very similar to glass lenses in the way they work. With glass lenses, each separate lens provides a range of focus adjustments, one for distance and another for being close up on something. With bifocal contact lenses, both of the adjustments are included. There are different manufacturers that produce different types of bifocal contact lenses, meaning that it may take you a bit of research and experimenting to find which type works the best for you.

Some lenses however, are made with a unique design, known as concentric. Similar to concentric circles, there are two adjustments – one in the middle the other around the outside. These two adjustments in the contact lens are very distinct, with a sharp line between them. Even though they may sound hard to use, most people find that they are easy use with a little bit of practice.

One type of bifocal lens is the aspheric lens, which have a more gradual change of focus. Both power are in the central area of the pupil, and similar to the concentric lens, your eye will immediately adjust to these lenses and decide on the focus that is best to use.

The third and possibly best lens for bifocal use is the translating lens. Just like bifocal glass lenses, the near correction is found at the bottom of the lens, and the distance correction is found at the top. These lenses arent able to shift when in the eye, as they are normally made so they arent able to shift around. This can be great for older individuals, as these contacts wont move around no matter what you do.

When it comes to bifocal contact lenses, you should always ask your optician what he thinks is best for your eyes. If you meet the right criteria, chances are youll be prescribed bifocal contact lenses. If you wear bifocal glasses, you may find these contacts to be the perfect alternative. You can get bifocal lenses in extended wear, daily disposable, or even conventional – which is great for anyone who likes plenty of choices. With a lot to choose from and a lot to offer – bifocal contact lenses are the ideal alternative for anyone who needs bifocal correction lenses.

The Types Of Contact Lenses

Even though they are great for your eyes, all contact lenses arent equal. Although your doctor will help you select the best pair for your eyes, you should always know a little bit about the contacts that are available to choose from. All contact lenses can be separated depending on their wearing schedule, purpose, material, and over transparency.

Materials
Contacts can be separated or best determined by their material. Contacts are divided into two main groups – soft and rigid (hard). Soft lenses are gas permeable to a certain extent, being further categorized by the amount of water they contain. Soft contacts can have either a low, which is less than 50 percent moisture, or a high moisture content, which is more than 50 percent. Rigid or hard contacts on the other hand, are much harder in material and are considered to be gas permeable.

Wearing schedules
Hard contact lenses can last for months, possibly even years before they need to be replaced. Soft contacts on the other hand, have a schedule for replacement. Some may need to be removed every 2 weeks, monthly, or even daily. The more advanced contact lenses, such as Night and Day contacts, will allow you to wear them all day and all night. Just like other contacts however, you will still need to clean them on a regular basis to ensure that the protein is removed.

Contact lens designs
The designs for contacts are divided into three areas – toric, spherical, and multi-focal. Toric lenses are for those who have astigmatism, spherical is for short sightedness, and the correction of long sightedness, and multi-focal contact lenses are used in the correction of presbyopia. All three designs have their distinct purpose, and you should always ask your optician before you rush out and buy one.

Many different purposes
As you may already know, contact lenses serve different purposes as well. They can be optical, therapeutic, cosmetic or decorative. Optical are the most common, as they are for the correction of vision and anomalies you have may have. Therapeutic lenses are normally soft contacts that serve to protect your cornea. They are also used as a reservoir for certain medicines that are used to treat various cornea diseases and malfunctions.

Decorative contact lenses are basically color contacts that produce various effects, such as rainbow colors, cats eyes, and so on. Cosmetic on the other hand, are meant to change the overall appearance of your eyes. Most types of cosmetic contact lenses are designed to enhance your overall eye color.

The type for you
With there being several different types of contacts available on the market, you should consult with your optician to find out which are the best for you. If you dont have astigmatism, you certainly wouldnt want to get toric lenses. If you dont know anything about contact lenses, you may end up doing your eyes more harm than good. Contact lenses are designed to correct your vision and often times protect your eyes, which is why you want to choose them carefully.

If you pick your contact lenses carefully, youll get the best type for your eyes. Your optician will give you his recommendations during your fitting exam, and go over how you should care for your new contacts. This way, even if you are new to the world of contacts, youll know what you should and shouldnt do. With the right type of contacts for your eyes – youll find vision to be a new and exciting world.