About Contact Lenses
Multifocal contact lens basics
Want a break from readers? Multifocal contact lenses can help correct presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, by including multiple prescription strengths in the same lens.
What are Multifocals?
Multifocal contacts help you see clearly at all distances
To uncover what multifocal contact lenses are, let’s start by breaking down the name. “Multi” means multiple and “focal” is about the ability to focus. If we put that together, we have contacts that can help you focus on multiple distances in one lens. For example, they’d help you see clearly if you’re reading a book in a park, and then look up to watch your kids play on the playground. It may seem incredible that multiple prescriptions can be in the same tiny lens, but it works, and we’ll cover how in a moment.
Who needs multifocal contacts?
Starting around age 40, almost everyone starts to notice that things look blurry up close. You’ve probably seen someone holding their phone at arm’s length to be able to read it—this is a tell-tale sign of presbyopia. It happens when the lens inside the eye loses flexibility as you age, making it harder for the eye to focus on nearby objects. When this happens, many people reach for “readers” or eyeglasses specifically to help correct nearby vision. But some people don’t like having to remember to have readers with them all the time. Multifocal contact lenses (including progressive contact lenses) help solve that problem, by including vision correction near and far.
How Multifocals Work
One lens, multiple focusing powers
Multifocal contacts allow the eyes to use the part of the lens needed to see clearly in that moment. You can think of it kind of like looking through a screen window. You can either look at the screen (near vision) or at what’s behind it (distance vision). Here are the three main ways that contact lenses are designed to provide more than one prescription in the same lens.
Concentric
Multifocal contact lenses in this category use concentric rings (rings within rings) to provide different focusing powers. Usually, the center of the contact lens corrects distance vision, and then the rings alternate between near and far correction until it reaches the edge of the contact lens.
Aspheric
This type of lens changes prescription power gradually as you go from the center of the lens to the edge. Your eyes learn to use the right part of the lens for whatever you’re looking at in the moment, whether it’s near or far. These are sometimes also referred to as progressive contact lenses. This is the type of lens that ACUVUE makes.
Segmented
If you’ve ever seen bifocal eyeglasses, these work in a similar way. There’s a top part of the lens that corrects distance vision and a part below that corrects near vision, with a clear division between.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Could multifocals be right for you?
Multifocal contact lenses can be a great option for many people, it just depends on what you’re looking for and what your eye doctor recommends. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of multifocal contact lenses.Advantages
Disadvantages
Other Treatments
Alternatives to multifocal contacts
Whether over-the-counter readers or prescription glasses like bifocals, eyeglasses can be a good option for people who aren’t interested in contact lenses or surgery. This option can be used for people who already use single vision contact lenses and aren’t bothered by reading glasses. This is the most permanent of treatment options, and because of that, it’s not often recommended for people with no vision problems other than presbyopia. Another approach to contact lenses for presbyopia that uses one eye to focus on near objects and one eye to focus on objects in the distance.Eyeglasses
A combination of eyeglasses and contact lenses
Surgery like iLASIK™
Monovision contact lenses
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do multifocal contacts work?
What are common complaints for first-time wearers of multifocal lenses?
How long does it take to see clearly with multifocal contacts?
Can you drive at night with multifocal lenses?
Is it normal for multifocal contacts to be blurry?
Can I wear multifocal contacts if I have astigmatism?
Footnotes
Consult your eye care professional for more information. Johnson & Johnson does not provide medical advice; this information is for educational purposes only. *Free trial contact lenses available only from participating eye care professionals. Exam and fitting fees not included. Important Information For Contact Lens Wearers: ACUVUE Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guides. 2024PP12889
