Multifocal Lenses

Like bifocal lenses, multifocal lenses are used primarily to help presbyopic people focus at distance and near with one lens. Multifocal lenses have no segment and no lines in the lenses; the power from the top of the lens to the bottom is smoothly transitioned from distance viewing power through near viewing power, as the user looks downward through the lens. Multifocals have the advantage of offering clear vision over a large range of distances, not just two distances, so multifocal users can see, far, mid-range (computer screen distance) and near all in one lens with no line. Multifocal lenses come in many designs and styles. Typically the multifocal lenses that are the easiest to adapt to and have the widest mid-range and reading areas are more expensive. For people who have not had success adapting to multifocal lenses, it is important to know that there are four factors that determine success in multifocal adaptation:

• Brand of Multifocal - Higher-end multifocals are much more successful than lower-end multifocals and can make the difference between adaptation and non-adaptation.
• Multifocal measurement and pupillary distance - Measurements for multifocal lenses must be taken by a trained professional. Make sure the optical centers of the frames are properly marked; the pupillary distance (distance from center of one pupil to center of the other pupil) is measured monocularly and binocularly (for each eye individually and together). Improper measurements taken for multifocal lenses are the most frequent reason for non-adaptation.
• Frame measurement - Frame measurements are sent into the laboratory properly and frames are adjusted properly on patients face before marking optical centers of lenses.
• Patient motivation - Often patient motivation is the determining factor in adaptation to these lenses. If you take the time and wear the lenses regularly without switching to an old pair or giving up, you can adjust. Remember, there is an adjustment period for bifocal lenses also, so which type of lens will you spend your time adjusting to? If a patient puts their time and effort into adjusting to progressive multifocal lenses, they probably will never have to be in a bifocal ever!

A multifocal lens gradually changes curvature, thus power as you go towards the bottom of the lens. The sides Outlined are areas where vision may be warped or Distorted due to the severe curvature change; The center areas are where vision is clear; distance At top parts of lens, midrange in middle and near Towards the bottom.