Multifocal Glasses in Ashburn, VA

If you have recently noticed that you are developing the inability to properly focus on reading material or that reading now gives you eye strain or headaches, it may be time to learn more about multifocal glasses. Those who already wear prescription lenses can still have difficulty finding a comfortable reading position. This may be due to presbyopia, the inability to focus on nearby objects. This typically begins to affect people after the age of 40.  Multifocal glasses are an easy solution to the problem. With multifocal glasses you can see near, far, and all points in between.

What are Multifocal Glasses?

Aging can make it difficult for some people to naturally adjust the focus of the eyes. That’s what causes us to hold a magazine or newspaper out at arm’s length and back again as we try to adjust our focus. Magnified reading glasses can help, but they can be a hassle to take on and off, and they are easy to forget or lose because you don’t need to wear them all the time. Multifocal eyeglasses provide many functions within one lens. They provide two or three separate segments for near, far and intermediate vision. Each segment is made in the exact prescription and placed in the correct alignment needed for optimal sight. Specific types of multifocal glasses include:

• Bifocals (two lens powers)
• Trifocals (three lens powers)
• Progressive lenses (line-free lenses)

Bifocals and trifocals have visible lines that mark the segments within the lens. There are half-moon (also called "flat top" and "D segment"), round and executive style bifocals and trifocals to choose from. Each segment style has its advantages and some work better for certain types of prescriptions. Dr. Mohanan will be able to advise you on the best segment style for your vision-correction needs.

One advantage to bifocals and trifocals is that they allow for a wider lens area for reading or working at the computer than progressive lenses do.

Progressive lenses don’t have separate segments. Instead, the prescription areas gradually blend from far vision at the top of the lens to close vision at the bottom. Progressive lenses are popular for their sleek, more youthful look—no obvious lines to tell the world you are wearing bifocals.

With all types of multifocal glasses, the prescription is placed in the area of the lens that coincides with natural viewing. Most people look up when looking into the distance, so the prescription for far viewing is placed in the upper portion of the lens. Likewise, the prescription for near vision is placed at the bottom of the lens because it is natural to look slightly downward while reading.

Whether you choose bifocal, trifocal or progressive lenses, your eyes will quickly adjust to multifocal glasses, and you will soon be enjoying the benefits of improved vision without struggling to hold a menu in a steady position.

For more information about multifocal lenses in in Ashburn, VA or to make an appointment for your vision check-up, call our office today at (703) 687-4719.