Are you finding yourself having to hold a book or menu farther away from your eyes in order to see the print clearly? Eye doctors call this condition “presbyopia.” Presbyopia is a common age-related vision condition in which the lenses of the eyes begin to lose their ability to focus on close objects. Most individuals begin to experience presbyopia once they get over the age of 40.
In most cases, presbyopia can be easily corrected with special lenses. Reading glasses are the most common treatment option. For those who don’t like the look or feel of reading glasses, bifocal or monovision contact lenses are usually an option.
What’s the Difference Between Bifocal and Monovision Contact Lenses?
There are two types of contact lenses used to treat presbyopia and similar conditions: monovision and bifocal contact lenses.
What are the differences between bifocal and monovision contact lenses?
Monovision
Monovision contacts are the traditional way of treating presbyopia with contact lenses. Each contact lens has a single, distinct power; one lens is used to correct distance vision, while the other lens corrects near vision. Most wearers don’t have a problem adjusting to the monovision contacts.
There are some disadvantages to the monovision method for treating presbyopia. It may be difficult to see at an intermediate distance and there may be some loss of depth perception. Wearers also complain of their vision being affected by vehicle headlight glare while driving at night.
Bifocal contact lenses
Unlike monovision lenses, bifocal and multifocal contact lenses allow wearers to clearly see near and far objects using a single lens. Bifocal contact lenses come in two kinds:
- Segmented
- Concentric ring (also known as simultaneous vision).
Segmented bifocal contacts are just like segmented bifocal eyeglasses in that the lens is segmented into two distinct areas — one for near sight and one for far sight. The concentric ring design uses two rings located in the center of the lens; the inner ring is used for near vision, while the outer ring is used for distance vision. Concentric ring contact lenses are also called simultaneous vision contact lenses because both the distance and near zones are in front of your pupil at the same time.
Your eye doctor can help you determine if contact lenses are right for you.
Berkeley Eye Center Has a Wide Selection of Contact Lenses
It’s important to protect our vision as we get older in order to reduce the effects of presbyopia and other age-related eye conditions. If you’re beginning to notice that you’re having to hold a book, menu or sales receipt farther and farther away in order to read it, contact Berkeley Eye Center to discuss reading glasses or contact lenses with one of our Houston eye specialists.
Berkeley Eye Center provides a wide range of options for patients who are beginning to notice that their vision isn’t quite what it used to be, including reading glasses and bifocal or monovision contact lenses. Our lenses are custom-made to fit your particular vision needs. If you prefer reading glasses, we have a wide selection of frames from top designers.
Presbyopia isn’t the only age-related vision problem. Cataracts and glaucoma are serious conditions that can result in blindness if left untreated. If you’re getting older and it’s been a while since you had your vision checked, contact the Berkeley Eye Center today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Many age-related problems can’t be cured — they can only be treated to slow their progression. The sooner these problems are diagnosed, the better your chances of preserving your vision.
We have locations all over the Houston area, including Atascocita, Bay City, Brenham, Clear Lake, Cleveland, Corpus Christi, Katy, Kingwood, Pearland, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands, so there’s sure to be a Berkeley Eye Center close to you.