{"id":16982,"date":"2021-09-05T08:31:37","date_gmt":"2021-09-05T08:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=16982"},"modified":"2021-09-05T08:31:37","modified_gmt":"2021-09-05T08:31:37","slug":"multifocal-eyeglasses-or-contact-lenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/multifocal-eyeglasses-or-contact-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Multifocal Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wearing multifocal lenses has increased from 64% in 2018 to over 75% in 2020.<\/b><\/h2>\n

You may notice certain changes in your vision as you get older. Many adults over the age of 40 need reading glasses to cope with presbyopia<\/a>, or age-related farsightedness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Switching back and forth between reading glasses and ordinary spectacles can be inconvenient for those who already need glasses to address myopia<\/a>, or nearsightedness. Many people choose multifocal optical lenses<\/a> or multifocal contact lenses to solve this inconvenience.<\/p>\n

What are multifocal glasses?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Multifocal glasses, also known as \u2018progressives\u2019, correct vision in three distance zones: near, intermediate, and distant<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Progressive lenses lack the distinctive lines on the lenses that separate each visual zone, which distinguishes them from multi\/bifocal glasses. Progressive lenses allow for a smoother transition between near and far vision.<\/p>\n

Although progressive glasses are a popular option for older people with multiple prescriptions, multifocal contact lenses have several advantages in addition to addressing the three visual zones.<\/p>\n

Why switch to multifocal contacts?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

For starters, many patients prefer contact lenses to glasses because of their appearance and the independence they offer.<\/p>\n

There are several types of multifocal contact lenses the different designs include:<\/p>\n