Types of multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia
Individuals often start experiencing deterioration in vision as they age. This gradual loss of vision in people hampers their close-range vision. This condition is common in people in their mid-40s and is known as presbyopia. To correct such loss of vision, doctors may recommend either bifocal or multifocal contact lenses. Multifocal lenses can be of different types. Some of these types are listed below.
Concentric multifocal contact lenses
In these lenses, the near and far viewing zones are arranged adjacent to one another in an alternating concentric pattern on the lens. The design in which the center-most region helps view distant objects is known as a center-distance design and is common. In some cases, when the person is already near-sighted or prefers to have the center be a near viewing zone, they can opt for a center-near design. This type of design of contact lenses is known as a simultaneous vision design.
Aspheric multifocal contact lenses
Although aspheric multifocal contact lenses are similar to simultaneous vision design, their viewing zones are slightly different. Instead of having alternating concentric rings of near- and far-viewing zones of shorter thickness and area, aspheric multifocal lenses are designed so that they have a distinct central region that allows you to have a comfortable vision of far away objects. As you move away from the center of the lens, the power gradually changes so that you can see nearby objects properly in your peripheral vision.
Segmented multifocal contact lenses:
As the name suggests, these contact lenses are slightly different from simultaneous vision contact lenses. They are made using a segmented multifocal design. This design largely resembles that of regular, bifocal, and trifocal eyeglass lenses with distinct upper and lower segments. The two viewing zones are stacked one on top of the other and are separated by a distinct line. The zone for distance vision is situated in the upper region of the lens, and the zone for viewing nearby objects is in the lower region of the lens. Similarly, you can also opt for segmented trifocal contact lenses if you require those.