Hello, I’m a 44-year-old woman in the UK. I’ve been a long-term contact lens wearer for distance correction. Recently, I’ve started experiencing presbyopia, which I realize is normal at my age. I’m currently testing out multifocal lenses from Specsavers, but frankly, they aren’t helping much; I still find myself stretching my arms out to read anything up close. If these multifocals aren’t the solution, am I stuck wearing glasses full-time (and removing them for reading)? I spoke with a trainee at the shop and didn’t feel like my concerns were really addressed. Thanks in advance!
One option is to stick with your distance contacts and just pop on some reading glasses when you need to see things nearby!
Your choices include: 1) Multifocals—these involve a trade-off between near and far clarity, but different brands might suit you better. 2) Distance lenses paired with reading glasses for close-up tasks. 3) Monovision—using one eye for distance and the other for reading, though this can affect your depth perception.
I’d suggest scheduling a fitting specifically with a qualified optometrist. It might cost extra, but you’ll likely get better results. Finding the right multifocals often requires testing various brands and strengths. In my previous experience as an optician, the fitting fee usually covered multiple trials and follow-ups. You’d test a pair for a week, then return to adjust the prescription or try a different brand. You could even compare multifocals against monovision. Don’t hesitate to take your prescription elsewhere if you aren’t getting expert help. This process involves some compromise, but an experienced professional should help you find a functional balance. Best of luck!
Multifocal lenses can be tricky to get right. It’s best to manage your expectations, as you’ll probably lose a bit of sharpness at either distance or near range. We’ve seen great results with the new Acuvue 1 Day Max, though they are quite pricey.
Return to the same Specsavers and request to try a different brand. If those don’t work, you could give monovision a shot. Since their trials are usually free, take advantage of the opportunity to test various options.
Contacts are still an option for you. It just requires patience and a skilled optometrist to find the right configuration. Look for someone who specializes in multifocals. While the vision might not be as sharp as standard distance lenses, you could try a ‘modified’ approach—distance in your dominant eye and a multifocal in the other. Finding what works is very personal, so a patient professional is key. Alternatively, you can stay with distance lenses and use readers, which is what many people with naturally good distance vision do.
Multifocal RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses are much more effective and provide excellent clarity at all ranges. I’m a big fan of mine; I moved to RGPs after over a decade of wearing soft lenses, and the crispness is definitely worth the switch.
Hi there, I’m an optician based in Germany. Our practices are quite similar to those in the UK and US. The success of multifocal lenses depends heavily on the specific brand. While monovision was suggested, I’m not a huge fan of it. If your current lenses aren’t working, it might be due to uncorrected astigmatism. Toric multifocals are less common because they’re pricey, but I’ve had great success fitting Biofinity Multifocal Torics. I also recommend using a peroxide cleaning system for a more thorough clean, provided you follow the neutralization timing. Feel free to ask more here or message me directly.
Is it possible for you to just keep your usual contacts and use reading glasses for close-up work when necessary?