Multifocal Glasses – Getting Them Right

The Reason Multifocal Glasses Need Expert Fitting

All too often, we have clients come in for an eye test, and we know that multifocal glasses will be a perfect solution to cover all their vision requirements.
But we often get pushback from clients who, in the past, had tried a cheaply made pair of multifocal and they hated them – And it is for a good reason why they were a disaster.

So, sit tight while we unpack The good, The bad and The essential when considering multifocal glasses – Either for the first time or if you have bitten the bullet to come back and try them again.

Our eyesight as we age

The lenses inside the eyes can become less flexible with age or binocular vision disorders and this makes it harder for us to focus on different distances.
We need other glasses to correct our vision at different distances, i.e., far away and up close. You may already be using reading glasses while doing up-close work, but they are unsuitable when working on a screen or watching TV.

Multifocal lenses incorporate different lens prescriptions into one cleverly engineered lens. As a result, one pair of glasses can be used for virtually all your activities.
That’s why multifocal lenses are great because, in theory, they give you every single one of those focuses.
This saves you from having to swap between different pairs of glasses. There are no visible lines on a multifocal lens, so they look like a normal lens rather than a bifocal.

But if only it were that simple – Multifocal lenses have some negative aspects, so before you buy, you must understand how they work.

How do multifocal lenses work?

Multifocal lenses are designed around a clinical feature called ‘corridors’. If you could look at a design diagram of a multifocal lens you would see that the different powers in the lens are shaped roughly like a figure 8 – distance power at the top, mid in the middle and reading at the bottom.

The sides of the lenses outside the figure 8 visual zone must be manufactured with distortions and this is the part of the multifocal lenses that some people struggle with.

How do I know if multifocal lenses will work for me?

Whether you’ve just been told you need multifocal lenses for the first time or whether you’re an experienced wearer looking to choose your next pair, it can be daunting organising the glasses.

You have probably heard stories about other people who weren’t able to successfully wear multifocal lenses.
Despite every reassurance from the optometrist or optical dispenser.
You may question in the back of your mind whether you will be able to wear them successfully.  Or maybe you will be another statistic.

Multifocal lenses have improved over the years, and that’s great news for you.

If you are shopping for multifocal glasses in 2023, you will get the latest lens technology, and this is a real thing to consider with what is available today.
Think about how far technology has advanced for smartphone cameras – You can take incredible photos; some mobile phones are now used for professional photography and videography work.

Optical lenses also have advanced in a similar fashion – Maybe not as rapidly as mobile phone cameras, but the improvements are genuinely noticeable if you have kept old glasses and compared them to modern-day versions.
The multifocal lenses you may have tried a couple of years ago have been superseded by what is available now.

Not all multifocal lenses are created equal

Multifocal lenses have revolutionised vision correction. However, the term ‘multifocal’ is a bit like the term ‘car’.
Buying a ‘car’ is a very individual and personal process, matching your preferences and desires to the features offered by a particular brand and model.
It is exactly the same with multifocal lenses. Different lens designs suit different people with different lifestyle requirements.

So how do you get the lenses that will work best for you?

Why Choose Eyes by Design for your next pair of multifocal lenses?

To get the best results, you need to see an optometrist who will accurately measure both your spectacle prescription and the positioning of the visual zones in the lenses. We make sure that we make the time to get this right.
We have to consider your vision requirements, the size of the lens area, and how the frames sit on your face. The frame selection is a key part in this too.
Read more about how to choose the right frames here.

We will choose the most appropriate lens design for your lifestyle needs. The way in which the ‘corridors’ are distributed will make an enormous difference to how well the lens performs for you and your particular vision needs.
Some people prefer a lens which optimizes driving, whether that’s more peripheral vision or better low-light vision for driving at night. Read more about night driving vision here.

Someone else will prefer a lens design to optimise sports performance. So,whether that’s cycling, golf or tennis, we can custom make a set of multifocal lenses for your activity.
If you’re someone who uses computers and digital devices all day, there needs to be extra consideration taken in the lens design.

We provide a three-month vision warranty, where if any additional testing, adjustments or lens replacements are required then this is covered without charge to you. We are committed to providing you with the best vision possible.

What happens if I am given the wrong lens design?

Cheaper and older technology lenses fail because the distortions cover a larger area of the lens periphery and are harder to see around.
The corridors of vision are often too narrow to be fit for purpose in critical focusing areas.
Cheaper multifocals are often not ideally suited to computer vision. This is due to where you typically view your screen which is below your eye level.
This means you would need to keep your head at a particular angle for a long time, which is just uncomfortable.

You have to adjust your head to be looking through the correct zone on your lenses and this is harder to do in a poorly designed lens. The more peripheral distortion in the lens, the more of a disorientating feeling you could experience when you are looking through them while walking around.

Will I get used to multifocal lenses if they don’t feel right?

The more accurately the multifocal lenses are made for your needs, the more comfortable they will be to wear. Some people feel comfortable straight away with a new pair of multifocal lenses, while others take time to adjust.
They may feel unsteady while they attempt to get used to the new lenses.
You need to train your eyes, head, and brain to adjust your head and vision angles so that you see out of the correct lens zone when doing all your daily activities.

But if you are unable to train your eyes to look through the right visual zones, and/or the lens design, prescription or manufacture is poor, then you may never get used to them.

Are you ready to try multifocal lenses done the right way?

Phew…We know that this is a bit to take in.

So, multifocal lenses are a brilliant option for many people, but the only way you will know if they are right for you – is to come in and talk to us or book an appointment!

We look forward to seeing you in store at:
Eyes By Design
Shop 6/39 Avoca Dr
Kincumber NSW 2251