Multifocal lenses are related to a symptom called presbyopia that many suffer from. People stand chances of suffering from presbyopia more with advancing ages. One needs to wear multifocal lenses to find relief from such a condition. With a multifocal lens, one can focus on objects both close enough to and far away from the eyes. For instance, if you are reading something, then you still should be able to retain focus on the words and be able to make them out as you move the page away from you eyes, till a certain distance – and if you are missing such capabilities then you probably have presbyopia and need multifocal lenses.
You can use both eyeglasses and contact lenses if you need a multifocal lens. The advantage of contact lenses is that they make you look younger, and on the other hand eyeglasses on an average might prove to be a shade cheaper. However, both variants solve your problem and you can try either of the two options. Multifocal contact lenses are available both in the soft and rigid (gas permeable) form, and even in the disposable form.
Every bifocal lens is a multifocal lens, and one would go by the power prescribed by the optician. A bifocal lens is a combination of two different powers – one is a plus power intended for you to have clearer vision near you, and the other is a minus power that allows you to view better further away. In a sense, a bifocal/multifocal lens is a combination of more than one power in one entity.
There are two major classes of bifocal lenses. One is the translating lens, in which the shift of power happens along the lens. As you keep shifting your view upwards and downwards, the lens lets your eyes alternate between the different powers. The other kind is the simultaneous vision lens, in which your eyes can look both nearby and far away at the same time without shifting the gaze. Concentric ring is the popular build for this, and aspheric design is the other.
How do you select the right kind of multifocal lens for your eyes? Consider the near (plus) prescription you have received from your doctor. If it is low, aspheric multifocal lenses might works well for you. If this is high then a translating lens would work better. But remember that you must go by the power prescribed by your doctor – it is a critical requirement to get back an accurate vision irrespective of the type and build of your multifocal lens.


