Bifocal contacts are lenses which contain two separate prescriptions in the same lens to meet the requirements for an individual with specific vision impairments. Bifocal contact lenses are available for individuals with specialist eye care requirements, such as those diagnosed with presbyopia. Being a notable vision impairment related to aging, presbyopia is a natural stiffening of the eye’s natural lens which contributes to the inability of sufferers’ to focus on close subjects. Bifocal contact lenses work by riding on the eye itself above an individual’s lower eyelid. When one’s eye gaze looks downwards, the lens stays in place, allowing the individual to see through the lower, near-correction, part of the lens.
Many individuals with presbyopia complain that reading glasses are inconvenient for their specific needs. These individuals may be required to constantly remove and replace their reading glasses throughout the day adjusting for the various environments which they find themselves in. This continual switching for many individuals between regular glasses and reading glasses is an unnecessary annoyance. This, in-turn, requires individuals to carry with them reading glasses at all times, which are easily forgotten or misplaced, forcing many to purchase several pairs of glasses to be housed in different locations.
Not only is carrying a second pair of prescription lens glasses inconvenient, individuals may additionally find themselves feeling self conscious having to continually wear eyeglasses, with the perception that it emphasises their age. The inability to participate in sporting activities, fearful that their glasses could be damaged in the process, is easily overcome with the use of contacts. An unavoidable frustration that is connected with prescription eyeglasses is the distortion that they create when the wearers gaze is shifted to the left and right.
A viable option for individuals who suffer from presbyopia and other visual impairments is bifocal contact lenses, which are designed to provide the dual aspects of comfort and restored vision. Bifocal contact lenses come in both soft and firm materials, with many eye care professionals in agreement that firm lenses are preferable due to their ability to silhouette the eye and retain their shape when an individual blinks. This reduces the need for eye-strained refocusing, allowing an easier transition for viewing items that are near and far. For those aged 40 and above, who are more susceptible to dry eye syndrome, firm bifocal contact lenses offer the additional advantage of reduced moisture absorption from the eye when compared to the softer alternative. Some bifocal contact lenses are available in disposable form; they offer the convenience of being able to easily and economically dispose of previously used lenses and the replacement of those with new ones.
The new technologies surrounding bifocal contact lenses have enabled manufacturers to provide an increasingly wide range of designs, with variations in the materials utilised in production. Vision care professionals will consider which bifocal contact lens is most appropriate for a specific individual. It is not uncommon for consumers to try different lens designs before finding the correct personal lens for them, enabling the user to return to crystal clear vision.
Paterson Burn Optometrists have been in the Waikato, New Zealand, as Balfour Irvine and Webster and Lawrence and Andrews since 1925. There is over 80 years of history of providing eye care prior to the merger of the two practices in 1995 to form Paterson Burn Optometrists.
Seven locations within the Waikato all provide the full scope of modern optometry including therapeutic qualified optometrist able to treat anterior eye infections. Six of our 8 optometrist have undertaken the post graduate studies needed to allow treatment of eye infections. Our many services include retinal camera fundus imaging, bifocal contact lenses, glaucoma testing, visual field investigation, tear duct syringing and punctual plugs.
We fit all types of contact lenses including the extended over night wear contact lens as well as multifocal contact lenses giving both distance and reading vision. With the introduction of a corneal topographer we also offer orthokeratology. This is where a contact lens is worn over night to reshape the eye to allow clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses.