Bifocal Contacts

Bifocal contact lenses are a type of contact lens that combine two different prescriptions in the same lens. One component corrects nearsightedness and the other prescription addresses farsightedness or farsightedness. Several types of bifocal contacts are available; your eye care provider can help you determine which option is best for you.

What Types of Bifocal Contacts Are Available?

  • The reading power is in the center of the lens, and the distance (far vision) is on the outside. Or, the distance could be in the middle with the reading on the outside.
  • The distance is on the top, and the reading power is on the bottom, similar to bifocal eyeglasses. These contact lenses are weighted at the bottom to keep the reading power on the bottom.
  • The reading and distance powers blend from the outside towards the center.

What Kind of Bifocal Contacts Should I Wear?

At your optometry clinic, you’ll be able to explore your options fully. Generally, several factors influence the type of bifocal contacts that are right for you, including:

  • Your age
  • Your eyeglass prescription
  • The type of work you do
  • How you use your eyes, such as looking straight ahead or looking down when you read
  • Typical lighting conditions when you read
  • Your eye shape
  • Your pupil size

What Should I Expect During the Adjustment Period?

Some people adjust quickly while others need some time. You might notice that images jump when you switch between close-up and distance vision, or you might see a ghost image when you read. You might see a halo around lights, or your vision might change when the lens moves on your eyeball. If you experience any of these quirks, talk with your eye care provider. Sometimes, these effects are part of adapting to your new corrective lenses and will go away with time. However, in some cases, you might need to try a different type of lens.

If you’re having trouble seeing clearly both up-close and at far distances then bifocal contact lenses offer a convenient alternative to bifocal eyeglasses. It may take longer to adjust to bifocal contacts than to glasses, but many find that it’s a worthwhile investment.

Contact Lens FAQ

Can I wear contact lenses?

Most people are able to wear contact lenses safely and comfortably. There are contact lenses that correct for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other vision problems. An optometry exam can determine what lenses are appropriate for you.

Are contact lenses safe for my eyes?

Millions of people wear contact lenses without any difficulties. Following recommendations for inserting, removing, cleaning, storing, and replacing contacts typically keeps your eyes safe and healthy. However, you should talk to your eye doctor if you have specific concerns about contact lens safety.

What is the difference between hard and soft contact lenses?

Soft contact lenses are made of plastic combined with water. Soft lenses allow oxygen to pass through the material to your cornea, nourishing and soothing the surface of your eye. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses, sometimes called “hard lenses” are made from a stiffer, oxygen-permeable material. They are often used by individuals with astigmatism or higher-order aberrations.

How often should I change my contact lenses?

The frequency with which you should dispose of lenses depends on the contact lens type. Some lenses are made to be disposed of each night, while others may last several weeks. Talk to your eye doctor and read the instructions on your contact lens package to determine the replacement schedule for your lenses.

Is it possible to lose a contact behind my eye?

No. If you rub your eyes or swim underwater with contacts, it is possible to dislodge your contacts. Usually, they can be found under your upper eyelid and removed without difficulty.

How long does it take to adjust to wearing contacts?

If you’re not used to wearing contacts, you may notice them or feel slight discomfort for a day or two. As you become accustomed to the contact lenses, you will no longer even notice that they’re there.

There are a lot of variables to consider when choosing contact lenses. Think about your typical routine and consult with your eye care provider to find the perfect contact lenses for your lifestyle.

Colored Contacts

Colored contact lenses allow you to temporarily change your eye color whether or not you need to correct impaired vision. In this way, you can create a more subtle eye appearance, wear a crazy design for special occasions, or just enjoy a new eye color.

Will Colored Contacts Change the Way I See?

Yes, but only if your colored contacts also contain a prescription to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Whether you have prescriptive lenses or cosmetic colored lenses, the center of the lens remains colorless to avoid affecting how you see. Only the part that covers your iris, or the colored part of your eye, contains color; that’s what changes your visible eye color.

Will Colored Contacts Look Natural?

Yes, most colored contact lenses use lines, dots and other shapes to mimic the pattern of your iris.

What Kinds of Tints Are Available?

At your optometry clinic, you may choose from three types of tints:

  • Visibility tint
    Your contact lens may have a light green or blue tint to help you see it better. This makes it easier to insert and remove your lens. It’s easier to find, too, if you drop it. Visibility tints are so faint that they won’t affect your vision or eye color.
  • Enhancement tint
    This type of contact lens is slightly darker than a visibility tint and is designed to enhance your natural eye color. This type of tint works well for people who want a more intense eye color.
  • Opaque tint
    This contact lens can give you a completely new eye color. People with dark eyes usually need an opaque tint to alter the color of their eyes.

What Colors Are Available?

The most commonly selected colors are green, blue, hazel, violet, amethyst, gray and brown. Theatrical contact lenses can create special effects for movies and costumes to make you look like a vampire or alien. However, theatrical contact lenses are still a medical device—they should never be shared with anyone.

If you’re thinking about color contact lenses, your eye care provider can help you select the right type of colored contacts depending on your eye color, quality of vision and desired appearance.