Yes. FYidoctors optometrists fit multifocal and monovision contact lenses that let many people with presbyopia read, scroll and see at a distance without reaching for readers. The right option depends on your eyes, prescription and daily routine, and a fitting with trial lenses shows which one works for you.
What to Remember
- Presbyopia is a normal, age-related change that usually becomes noticeable in your early forties.
- Multifocal contacts have zones set at different powers to help with near and distance vision.
- Monovision corrects one eye for distance and the other for near, which some people adapt to easily and others don't.
- A fitting with trial lenses is the only reliable way to know which option works for you.
Why Close-Up Vision Changes After Forty
The lens inside your eye gradually loses flexibility, so focusing up close gets harder. The Canadian Association of Optometrists describes presbyopia as a natural part of aging that usually becomes noticeable in your early forties.
You might hold your phone at arm's length, need brighter light to read, or feel eye strain after close work. It's a normal change, and it can be corrected. Read our overview of presbyopia to learn more.
Your Contact Lens Options for Presbyopia
Contact lenses for presbyopia come in a few forms. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's contact lens guide lists bifocal or multifocal lenses as one option and monovision as another.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal lenses have rings or zones set at different powers, and your brain learns to select the right focus. How well you see near and far depends on the lens design and your eyes.
Multifocals come in soft lenses and rigid gas permeable designs. FYidoctors clinics carry multifocal daily and monthly contact lenses.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that multifocals may look less sharp than single-vision lenses.
Monovision and Modified Monovision
Monovision contact lenses set one eye for distance and the other for near. Modified monovision pairs a multifocal lens in one eye with a single-vision distance lens in the other.
Monovision works well for many people, but it can reduce depth perception. Talk to your optometrist about how that fits with driving or sports. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says monovision isn't for everyone, so a trial comes before any commitment.
Readers Over Your Current Contacts
You can keep single-vision contacts for distance and add reading glasses for close work. This suits people who read only occasionally or prefer not to adjust to a new lens type. A review of presbyopia treatment options lists this approach alongside monovision and multifocals.
Which Option Fits Your Day?
FYidoctors optometrists consider your routine as well as your prescription. Use these pairings as a starting point:
- If you spend long hours at a screen, ask whether multifocals, which help with a range of distances, suit your setup. Learn more about contact lenses for computer use.
- If you drive often or play sports, ask your optometrist which option suits driving and sports, since monovision may affect depth perception.
- If you read only occasionally, readers over your current contacts may be enough.
- If you have astigmatism or dry eye, ask about your options during your fitting, since multifocal toric options exist for some prescriptions.
What to Expect at Your Fitting and During Adjustment
Your visit starts with a comprehensive eye exam. Next come lens measurements, a trial pair and follow-up visits to fine-tune the fit. Our guide to contact lens fittings walks through each step.
Success is hard to predict in advance. A clinical trial of multifocal contact lenses found that sharp test results don't always mean a patient is happy. Trial lenses and honest feedback matter.
Your brain needs time to adapt. Wear your lenses consistently rather than switching back and forth with glasses. Tell your optometrist if anything looks less crisp than expected.
Your optometrist can adjust the power or design, so report problems at your follow-up rather than giving up. If your eyes feel dry, try these tips for adjusting to new contact lenses.
When to See an Optometrist
See an optometrist if near vision is getting harder, you're straining or getting headaches with close work, or your current lenses no longer feel right.
Contact an eye doctor right away for new flashes, a shower of new floaters, or a shadow or curtain over part of your vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists these warning signs.
Eye exam coverage varies by province and age, as the Canadian Association of Optometrists' overview of provincial coverage shows. Routine adult exams often aren't covered, while exams for medical conditions often are.
Read our guide to eye exam coverage in every province and confirm with your clinic.
FAQ
Can Contact Lenses Replace Reading Glasses?
Are Multifocal Contacts Better Than Monovision?
How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Multifocal Contacts?
Can I Wear Reading Glasses Over My Contacts?
Can I Get Multifocal Contacts if I Have Astigmatism?
How Much Do Contact Lenses for Presbyopia Cost?