Bifocals and progressives have different vision strengths built into the same lens. As you look down to read, the lens helps you see things close up. As you look up at the horizon, it lets you see clearly far away. This helps when you walk or drive. Your vision may change as you age. You’ll know it’s happening when you have to hold your favorite book, the daily newspaper, or a restaurant menu farther away just to read it. This is called presbyopia. It’s normal, and almost all of us get it as we reach middle age. When this occurs bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses may be right for you.. They’re also called multifocal Children sometimes need these eyeglasses or lenses, too. Here are a few types of multifocal lenses:
- Bifocals are two lenses in one. They’re shaped differently at the bottom and top to help you see close up or far away. They come in both eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some bifocal glasses have a line across the middle that divide the two corrections.
- Trifocals correct your vision so you can see close up, middle distance, or far away. They may also may have lines or come in a progressive lens.
- Progressives have a gradual or progressive change in vision in different parts of the lens, so there’s no line.
You may need time to adjust to your lenses. Most people get used to them after a week or two, but it can take longer.As you look up and down, your eyes quickly move from one vision strength to another. Objects may seem to jump around. This can make you feel unsteady. Your brain has to adjust to different strengths as your eyes move around the lenses. That’s why you might feel a little dizzy. Older people who’ve never worn multifocal before may need a little longer to adjust.
How to Adjust:
Don’t give up on your new lenses. Take these steps to get used to them and enjoy clear vision!:
- Try putting on your new glasses first thing in the morning and wear them for just an hour or two. The next morning, try a few more hours. Slowly build up your tolerance to adjust to them.
- Don't switch between your new pair and your old one.
- Make sure your eyeglasses fit properly and don’t slide down your nose.
- When you walk, look straight ahead, not down at your feet. Also work on pointing your nose in the direction you want to look, not just looking left or right with your eyes
- When you read, hold items down and about 16 inches away from your eyes. Look through the bottom of your lenses.
- Don’t move your eyes or head as you read. Move the page or paper instead.
- Set your computer screen just below eye level. You can adjust your desk or chair to make this happen.