Presbyopia often sneaks up on you. One day, your vision’s perfect. And then, all of a sudden, you have to hold your phone up to your nose to read your messages.
But wait up! There’s no need to sound the alarm. You don’t have to wear eyeglasses if you don’t want to. You’ve also got contact lens options! Let’s see what’s in store for you if you take this route.
What Is Presbyopia?
As you age, the lens inside your eye loses its flexibility, which makes it harder to focus on nearby objects. This is presbyopia, and according to the American Optometric Association, it affects an estimated 128 million people in the U.S.
Symptoms of presbyopia usually begin in your mid-40s and worsen over time. Blurred vision is just one of these symptoms. Also, watch out for eye strain, headaches, and possibly needing to hold reading material farther away for focus.
Presbyopia can get in the way of simple tasks, such as using the computer, browsing on your phone, driving, or reading a menu at a restaurant. If you leave this condition untreated, presbyopia could impact your quality of life.
Contact Lenses For Presbyopia Options
Thinking about trying contact lenses for presbyopia? Let’s go through some of your options to help you decide which would work best for you.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocals are the hard workers of the contact lens world! These contacts can do so much, from correcting your presbyopia to helping with other eye conditions, such as hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and even astigmatism.
The lenses of these types of contacts have multiple focal points, which enable you to see clearly at both near and far distances.
If you’re interested in trying these contacts, here are some of the top brands.
Bausch & Lomb ULTRA for Presbyopia
Bausch & Lomb started out selling monocles in 1853, and now, the brand is known as one of the leading names in lens technology. Bausch & Lomb ULTRA for Presbyopia is popular among presbyopes for its visual clarity, comfort, and fit. It is designed with 3 progressive zones for seamless vision. Likewise, it is optimized using 7 biometrics, including pupil size, axial length, and corneal topography, for the best fit and comfort.
Most EZContacts buyers love the brand! Cindy H. says:
“I love these contacts and have been using them for a few years without any problems. The multi focal works so well I never need reading glasses.”
Same with Josef C., who thinks they fit well:
“Rx was exactly what my dr wrote. Fit good, feel good.”
Yvette H. dissents, though, claiming they are uncomfortable:
“The worst contacts I have ever tried! I had been wearing Acute for years and my Dr. suggested I try a new brand, what a mistake! They are sometimes so hard to get in and easily fold in half. Yesterday I put one in and it ended up folded in half and it was somewhere in my eye but couldn’t find it and it was painful. I also think there’s a glare with these and they aren’t comfortable. Back to Acuvue!”
Biofinity® Multifocal
Biofinity® Multifocal is a well-regarded contact lens brand for presbyopia, owing to lens innovations that prioritize breathability, comfort, and visual clarity. The contact lenses feature CooperVision® Aquaform® Technology, which is designed to provide your eyes with 100% of their needed oxygen and comfort.
Most EZContacts customers like these contacts. William A., an ophthalmologist, highly recommends them:
“A good product. My wife is a many year contact lens wearer. highly recommended by Ophthalmologist. Me.”
Jeffrey R. is a senior who loves Biofinity® Multifocal:
“Great distance and close (reading) vision correction at a great price. I am a senior that needs both distance and close up (reading) vision correction. These contact lenses are very comfortable to wear all day. I am very happy with the distance vision and the reading vision that eliminates the need for readers. The lenses are very reasonably priced at EZ Contacts and a great alternative to Laser vision corrective surgery.”
However, Jane P. warns that these contacts may be too delicate:
“Treat them with extra care! They are very soft. Which is good and bad. I find they distort quite quickly if you are not careful, and even tear. So the verdict is still out, I am afraid..”
ACUVUE Oasys Multifocal
ACUVUE® OASYS MULTIFOCAL are bi-weekly contacts made by one of the most trusted contact lens brands. OASYS has become synonymous with visual clarity and comfort. Their multifocal line features their optimal moisture retention technology. The contacts also include PUPIL OPTIMIZED Design, which was developed specifically for presbyopic patients.
The big plus with these multifocal lenses is that they’re FDA-approved for extended wear. This means that you can wear them for six nights in a row. Of course, the extended wear feature is not for everyone, especially those suffering from dry eye syndrome. Make sure to check with your doctor first before using these contacts.
As for verified buyers, the reviews are generally good, especially in terms of comfort.
David Y. says:
“Love these contacts, by far the most comfortable I’ve had. Gotta play with the add power for best farsighted results, might take some trial and error.”
It’s the same with Mary B., who claims:
“Most comfortable contacts I’ve ever worn! Great customer service & fast delivery. Will definitely be ordering again. Thanks!”
Monovision Contact Lenses
Monovision contact lenses are also known as blended vision lenses. What happens here is that your doctor prescribes different powered lenses for each eye. One lens is for distance vision, and the other is for near vision.
This works by “tricking” your brain into thinking that this mixed vision is how you naturally see. Your eyes will then adjust. The non-dominant eye will learn to focus on nearby objects. The dominant eye focuses on distant objects.
While there is a period of adjustment, studies from The Physiological Society show that patients who use monovision contacts experience improvements to their vision. Participants in the study say that they can’t distinguish the different visual adjustments that their eyes are making. They just see better.
Another good thing about monovision contacts is that there are no special monovision contacts. You buy the same single power contact lenses as you would normally. What’s different is the range difference in the lens power for each eye.
Your dominant eye will need contacts for distant vision. These are marked with the + symbol before their power. Your non-dominant eye will need to focus on nearby objects, so the contact for it will have the – symbol before its power.
Try out different contact lens brands to see what suits you best. Top choices include ACUVUE Oasys, Biofinity, and AIR OPTIX Plus Hydraglyde.
If you’re interested in monovision contacts, please talk to your eye doctor.
Choosing Your Perfect Contacts
Remember that contact lenses aren’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. The perfect contacts for you depend on your lifestyle, prescription, and eye health.
For instance, along with presbyopia, you may also suffer from astigmatism. In this case, you need toric multifocals or soft contact lenses for those with irregularly shaped corneas and presbyopia. Some of the top contact lenses for presbyopia also have product lines for those with astigmatism. This includes Bausch & Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism, Proclear Multifocal Toric, and Biofinity Toric Multifocal.
Another example is if you suffer from dry eyes or have an active lifestyle. Your dry eyes limit your choices to contacts that are highly permeable and retain the most moisture. To find these, you might need to try out a few different brands, as they all claim “superior comfort.”
If you’re active and super busy, then maybe you’d want to try extended wear contacts, but only if your doctor approves.
These are considerations that you need to talk to your eye doctor about.
Contacts vs. Reading Glasses
Reading glasses are a good option if you want affordability and the ability to take your readers off whenever you like. It’s a simple scenario. Need to read something close-up? Put on your glasses. Otherwise, take them off.
With contact lenses, you get a seamless solution. You can see both distant and nearby objects throughout your day, without having to worry about reaching for glasses. Plus, with contacts, you enjoy a wider field of vision. There’s nothing to obstruct your peripheral vision.
As for aesthetics, some look good wearing readers. Others might not want anything clunky on their face, obstructing focus from their eyes.
In the end, when choosing between contacts and glasses, it really boils down to your preference. Both are good ways to address your “old eyes.” The important thing is that you take the necessary steps to correct your presbyopia.
TL;DR
- Presbyopia is also referred to as “old eyes.” As you age, your eyes begin to have trouble seeing nearby objects clearly.
- There are several contact lens options for people with presbyopia, including multifocal lenses and monovision lenses.
- Some top multifocal lens brands include Bausch & Lomb ULTRA for Presbyopia, Biofinity® Multifocal, and Acuvue Oasys Multifocal.
- Monovision lenses are different-powered lenses for each of your eyes. The brain adjusts, and users attest to seeing clearly and not noticing the difference.
- Choosing the best contacts depends on your prescription, lifestyle, and eye health. It also depends on your doctor’s advice.
- When it comes to choosing between glasses and contacts, glasses may be more affordable and convenient. However, lenses are seamless solutions that allow you to see clearly all day, with no need to take glasses on and off.
