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Eye health
MULTIFOCAL LENSES:
the varifocals in contact lens form
Multifocal contact lenses are lenses that have incorporated different fields of vision
for near and far. This way, you can compensate for presbyopia and replace varifocals.
Dr. Lubos Frano tells us more about this.
What are multifocal lenses and how do they
work?
The lenses have different strengths and are
comparable to varifocals. They lie like normal
soft lenses directly on the cornea of ​the eye.
The best-known multifocal contact lenses
work simultaneously: the optical zone is constructed
in such a way that the enhancement
of near vision is in the center of the soft lens
and around it the zone for long-distance vision.
Through this the brain is able to clearly focus
the visual center for near and far distances,
similar to the zoom of a camera.
Who are these lenses for?
They’re best for people who are 40+ who already
wear soft or hard contact lenses. When this
group then needs reading glasses, they often
think they can no longer wear contact lenses
as a result. But especially with the multifocal
contact lenses you can do without reading
glasses. Of course, the constant vision lenses
are also suitable for people who have not yet
had any experience with lenses.
How long does it take to get used to multifocal
lenses?
Fitting multifocal lenses is more complex and I
would advise against buying them online. If someone
already wears contact lenses, it is easy
to get used to them. It can take longer for newcomers
who want to start using the varifocal
lenses right away. This is because the lenses
have different correction zones. We measure
the eye very precisely: which eye is dominant
and which eye is suitable for reading. It can
also happen that the lenses are not suitable for
a patient. In this case, the combination of reading
glasses with normal contact lenses may
be recommended. But there are also monovision
contact lenses or bifocal contact lenses.
We can find out all of this at the Augenkraft
Institute and adapt it accordingly.
How are toric lenses different?
Toric lenses are soft lenses that compensate
for the curvature of the cornea. There are also
toric multifocal lenses on the market.
Is a preliminary examination at the ophthalmologist
necessary?
Absolutely! One should examine the eyes,
measure the intraocular pressure or check the
wetting of the eye. All of this is also important
for comfort.
Are the lenses covered by statutory health
insurance?
The statutory health insurance funds proportionally
cover the costs for the fitting and the
lenses for patients over +/- 6 dioptres. (ek,mb)
Augenkraft
Institut für gesundes Sehen
Innsbrucker Str. 58
10779 Berlin
www.augenkraft.com
Foto: Matthias Oberholzer / freepik.com
80 CHECK BERLIN/BRANDENBURG #7