The ability of your eyes to focus on nearby objects gradually diminishes as you get older because the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible. This condition is called presbyopia, and it normally happens as people age. That said, presbyopia cannot be cured, but you can use corrective glasses or contacts to be able to enjoy the activities you usually do.
Nevertheless, bifocal glasses, bifocal contacts and progressive lenses often need some getting used to before you’re comfortable with them.
Your bifocal or progressive lenses should be customized appropriately so that they fit your face nicely. Without a proper fit, adjusting to your bifocals can be a little more challenging. People who need to use progressive lenses specifically may have a hard time adjusting because the lenses use multiple powers of magnification in the same pair of eyeglasses. With that in mind, make sure to choose an eye doctor who is experienced in fitting glasses. You should be able to see clearly during your fitting at the optical shop. Otherwise, tell your concerns to your doctor so that they can make the proper adjustments.
If you feel more comfortable wearing contact lenses, make sure to express this to your optometrist since you have the option to go with bifocal contacts instead of bifocal glasses or progressive lenses. Just make sure to choose the type of contacts that best suits your eyes. Your eye doctor should be able to help you with this. Since there are several options for multifocal contacts, make sure that each of these options are explained well to you.
In order to adjust quickly to wearing bifocals, it really helps to wear them all the time. Wearing your bifocals continually can shorten your adjustment period to just a week or two. But if you feel like you’d rather take it slowly, that’s fine, too. This is a common sentiment among people who have never worn any kind of corrective lenses before. In this case, you can simply wear your bifocals when you need them. However, you have to manage your expectations because it will take a lot longer for your eyes to adapt to the bifocals.
Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry is a locally owned practice that provides excellent eye and vision care. Our services range from eye exams to LASIK eye surgery. Call us at (703) 660-9494, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in Alexandria, VA, and the surrounding areas.