What are multifocal glasses and how to get used to them?

What are multifocal glasses and how do they work?

Multifocal glasses provide sharp vision at all distances thanks to their features. Thanks to the special design (variable radii of curvature), they contain the diopters needed for vision:

• into the distance,
• at medium distance
• and up close.

Multifocal lenses have a smooth transition between diopters with no visible advance.

What is the progressive zone and what role does it play in multifocals?

The zone between the distance and near diopters, where the optical power changes, is called the progressive zone or progressive corridor. The shape of the progressive zone can vary from one type of multifocal lens to another. However, it is always designed to respect the movement of the eye from distance to near. The eyes not only move downwards during near vision, but also move towards each other (converge), and this eye movement is also taken into account in the positioning of the progressive zone.

The width of the progressive zone depends on the design and type of the progressive lens, the value of the near addition (add) and, currently, a number of other factors that vary from lens manufacturer to lens manufacturer.

In the peripheral regions of multifocal lenses (outside the progressive corridor), the image may not always be fully sharp. However, with high-quality multifocal lenses, the peripheral zones are reduced to such an extent that the wearer either hardly notices them or gets used to them very quickly.

The most modern types of multifocal lenses are based on:

• individual parameters,
• ocular biometrics,
• using artificial intelligence
• and other modern technologies.

Individual multifocal lenses provide comfortable and natural vision almost instantly.

Who is the ideal candidate for multifocals?

Multifocal glasses are ideal for anyone who needs both distance and near diopters and does not want to change between two glasses. Multifocal spectacle lenses are designed to correct presbyopia, a condition where we begin to perceive impaired near vision, even when we have not had any vision problems before. A typical symptom is that we increasingly need to put the text we are reading further away from our eyes (so-called "hand lengthening"). The reason for presbyopia is the gradual loss of lens elasticity, which is physiological and affects all of us. We usually begin to have difficulty seeing up close after the age of 40 .

Advantages and disadvantages of multifocal glasses according to our clients

The biggest advantage of multifocal lenses is sharp vision at all distances with only one pair of glasses. This eliminates the need to change multiple glasses. The high aesthetics of multifocal lenses is also a great advantage. Compared to older types of presbyopia correcting lenses, the so-called bifocals, they do not have a visible transition between distance and near diopters. In addition, the smooth transition between diopters provides sharp vision not only at distance and near, but also at intermediate distances.

Benefits

• One pair of glasses for sharp vision at all distances (no more changing glasses)
• Aesthetics (no visible transition)
• Use in everyday life for most activities

Disadvantages

• Multifocal glasses are ideal for everyday life, not for specific work. Although there are people who do practically everything with multifocals, there are situations where we will recommend that you supplement your multifocals with additional glasses for work. For example, if you engage in several hours of single distance activity per day (monitor work, long close reading, close-up work, dual monitor work, etc...).
• For people working at heights, we also recommend a different type of goggles. Looking down through the bottom of the lenses (close-up) distorts the distance, which can be dangerous when walking on ladders, stairs or scaffolding.
• Multifocal glasses take some getting used to.

Tip: Are you interested in the real experiences of our customers? Visit the article in which Martin Koplík describes his experience with buying from us.

How to get used to multifocal glasses?

Vision is a complex neurochemical process, and because we see not only with our eyes but also with our brains (the visual centres in the brain), adaptation is important for the new multifocal glasses. Our brains simply need to get used to the new stimuli that come along.

For some, the process is very quick and short, for others it may take longer. As always, a positive attitude, patience and motivation are very important. With the most modern types of multifocals, the adaptation process tends to be very fast. There is nothing to worry about.

1. Wear your new multifocal glasses for a few hours in familiar surroundings, ideally first thing in the morning when you're rested.
2. If you don't experience any particular adaptation problems, then wear your new multifocal glasses as much as possible.
3. Do not interchange your new multifocal glasses with other glasses (each pair of glasses is different, frequent changing of glasses can sometimes complicate the adaptation process to multifocal lenses).
4. When looking to the side, turn your whole head (not just your eyes).
5. When looking into the distance , look over the top of the lenses; if you need to see close up, lower your eyes so that you are looking over the bottom of the lenses.

“The following information is also important to us in the eye examination for multi-focal glasses: the distance of your monitor from your eyes, whether you work on a desktop or laptop, whether you use multiple monitors, how often and what activity you do most during the day. Based on this, I will be able to recommend the best lenses for you.”

Bc. Lukáš Fojtík

optometrist

Tips from an expert on what to look out for:

• Walking down stairs: be careful when walking down stairs for the first time with multifocal glasses (you need to get used to a different view).
• Sitting in the car: Remember that in multifocal lenses, the distance diopter zone is contained at the top of the lens. Therefore, you should have your car seat in an upright position (not too reclined) so that you are looking through the zone designated for distance vision.
• If you work most of the day on a monitor, then so-called office lenses, which contain only near and mid-distance diopters, are ideal. This gives you a wider and more comfortable field of vision for the middle distance in which the monitor is placed.
• Don't forget about good ergonomics in the workplace. The top edge of the monitor should be at eye level.
• When working at mid-distance , it may sometimes be necessary to tilt the head slightly to get the eyes into a position where the mid-distance diopters are contained.