As we age, the lens of the eye loses elasticity, reducing the flexibility we have to focus light on the retina — and as a result, we increasingly struggle to see objects up close. This is called presbyopia, and it is a completely natural progression of the eyes. Most people develop this condition to some degree before the age of 50.
If you prefer contact lenses to glasses, there’s no need to worry about the onset of presbyopia. Thankfully, there are already several multifocal contact lenses designed to give you clear vision at all distances. That said, even if you’re used to wearing contact lenses, you should always keep a pair of glasses to hand for occasions when you’d rather not wear lenses.
Progressive lenses for glasses
Unlike bifocal glasses, progressive lenses do away with the distracting dividing line between distance and near vision, offering a prescription that changes gradually without any visible divisions. They provide clear reading ability at any distance, including intermediate vision — ideal for viewing a computer screen or a car’s speedometer. As you look through different zones of the lens, your vision is corrected seamlessly, regardless of distance. Both the lens and the frame can be tailored to your personal needs so you can enjoy a natural, comfortable feel.
Multifocal contact lenses
Multifocal lenses are the most common type of contact lens for people with presbyopia. Most multifocal contact lenses are designed to offer a gradual transition between distance and near prescriptions, so you can focus easily on objects both far away and up close.
From playing sport to wearing sunglasses, contact lenses offer many benefits. They’re particularly useful for sports where glasses are likely to get damaged, or for reading a menu in a restaurant. Combining contact lenses with non-prescription sunglasses is also more cost-effective than buying prescription ones, and gives you greater freedom to choose your ideal style.
If you’re looking for easy-to-wear multifocal lenses, we’d suggest trying the 1 Day ACUVUE Moist Multifocal daily disposables. As well as offering clear vision at both near and far distances, these daily disposable lenses provide protection against harmful UV rays. And thanks to the exclusive LACREON technology, they keep your eyes hydrated throughout the day.
Our eyes will continue to change as we age, and our presbyopia prescription is likely to change too. We recommend letting your optician know if you notice any changes in your vision, and keeping up to date with your regular eye checks.