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Are Bifocals Hard to Get Used To?

As we age, our vision tends to start changing. When you hit the 40s, you may begin to experience some weird issues with your eyesight. You may start to see blurry images when you want to see something on the computer screen or note that you have to put the daily newspaper or favorite book further to read it.  This is a condition known as presbyopia. Basically, it is an age-related eye condition that makes it hard for you to focus on nearby objects. It occurs due to the hardening of the eye lenses. As we age, our eye lenses start losing their elasticity and flexibility, thereby making it harder for us to focus on objects that are near.

The World Health Organization estimated that in 2015, there were at least 1 billion suffering from this condition globally. And although there is no cure for presbyopia, the ailment can be corrected using over the counter glasses or surgery. However, doctors recommend using bifocals or progressive lenses, especially if you have been wearing glasses or contact lenses.

What are Bifocals?

Bifocals are a type of glasses that help improve how you focus and see near and far away objects. They boast multiple focal points and distinct amplification levels on the upper and the lower parts of the glass lens. Generally, bifocals feature different vision strengths fitted into the same lens.  The lower end of the lens is used to see closer things. If you want to gaze at something far away, you have to look from the lens's upper part. Some bifocal glasses feature a line in the middle of the two amplification levels.

Why some People Find it Hard to Get Used to Bifocals

Due to the presence of multiple, blended power amplification and correction in a single lens, getting used to wearing bifocals can be challenging. It may take you a week or longer to get used to looking through the right section of the lens. For instance, you may find yourself using the lower portion when driving and reading the menu from the top part. Additionally, you may experience other issues, such as:

• Blurry vision. When you adorn the bifocal glasses for the first time, you may experience blurry vision when switching from the lower to the upper part.
• “Image jump.” Another thing that may startle your brain is the image jump. This is when an object suddenly looks much more prominent when you look from the top and lower sides. This can make you feel like your vision is off.
• Nausea and headaches. Due to switching from lower to upper focus, you can start experiencing nausea and headaches.
• Balance problems. Before you get used to wearing bifocals, you may find yourself tripping since the glasses can interfere with how you judge distance or depth.

Generally, most people have a more challenging time adjusting to bifocal glasses than regular lenses or trifocal glasses. However, the experience boils down to an individual. Some people say that they adapted to using bifocals even before the end of one week. But several individuals still take weeks or even months to get used to this eyewear. Nevertheless, there are few tips to ensure that you don't take too long to adjust to this type of glasses.

Tips to Help You Adjust Faster to Bifocals

1. Wear Them Regularly

Although you might feel uncomfortable and odd spending the entire day with your bifocal glasses, wearing them regularly can help you adjust quickly. Ensure that you adorn your bifocals the first thing in the morning and make sure you don't leave them when you’re going outdoors. If you have had a corrective lens before, this won’t be a problem. Those who have never worn any lens before may find it challenging to keep bifocal glasses on at all times, but it’s the price you’ll have to pay if you want your eyes to adapt faster. 

2. Try to Use Every Part of the Lens for Its Intended Purpose

It might be daunting to know exactly where to look from when you wear bifocals for the first time, but the more you practice, the easier it gets. When reading, let the material rest below your face, about 16 to 18 inches from the eyes.

Conversely, train yourself to use the upper part of the lens when driving or walking. When you use the bottom part of the lens when walking, you can end up losing focus. Things such as walking down the stairs can be daunting if you use the lens's lower end. When you feel like you want to look down when walking or driving, tilt your head downwards and not the eyes.

3. Get the Right Fit for Your Face

One of the things that make it challenging for you to get used to bifocal glasses faster is using glasses with lenses that don't fit your face well. Some eyewear might have the bifocal line too high or too low. This can affect the way you focus on images that are either near or far away. When getting your bifocals, make sure you visit an eye doctor experienced in dealing with presbyopia. Such doctors will prescribe the right fit by taking into account the shape and size of your face, as well as the frame size. 

4. Take Your Bifocal Glasses for Readjustment

Suppose you determine that your glasses, you can always revisit your eye doctor to see if the prescription was appropriate. Conversely, you can return to the store where you purchased bifocal glasses to see if they can adjust them to suit your needs. Alternatively, some people like full reading sunglasses where the entire lens is a bifocal.

Final Verdict,

Bifocal lenses can surely give you a hard time, whether it is your first time to wear glasses or you’re switching from the regular lens. However, if you take advantage of the few tips discussed in this article, your brain will eventually get accustomed to the visual changes, and everything will seem familiar again. But remember, for you to adjust swiftly to the bifocal glasses, you need consistency. Train yourself to adorn the bifocal regularly, use the upper part of the lens when gazing at the horizon and the lower portion when focusing on near objects.