How To Choose Your First Pair of Glasses or Contact Lenses

Glasses or Contact Lenses

 

It can be a daunting prospect choosing glasses or contact lenses for the first time. Below we have compiled a brief guide to help you get started.

Glasses can be split into two groups; single vision and multifocal.

Single Vision glasses

For people under the age of around 40 years old, these are usually used as general-purpose glasses, working well for long distances (driving, watching TV etc.) and reading.

Two pairs?

Once you reach the age of 40 your eyes begin to lose the ability to change focus. This is known as presbyopia and happens to everyone. If this has happened you may be told that you need separate glasses for distance and reading. Two pairs of single vision glasses may be the answer for you but one needs to bear in mind that the glasses will have to be swapped around depending on what you are looking at. This can prove to be inconvenient for some people.

If you are one of these people you may want to consider multifocals.

Multifocal glasses

Multifocals are a great alternative to two pairs of glasses if you have been told you are presbyopic and can be split into two groups; bifocals and varifocals.

Bifocals

Bifocals allow the wearer to see for both distance and reading in one pair of lenses. Typically the top part of the lens is for long distances with the reading part being placed in the lower third of the lens. Bifocals work well but many people have put off them because there is a segment visible on the lens where the reading area sits, making them cosmetically unattractive.

Varifocals

Varifocals are by far the most common solution for those needing distance and reading corrections. They work in a similar way to bifocals, with the distance part of the lens at the top and the reading at the bottom but there are two notable differences. Rather than having a visible segment on the lens like bifocals, the power of the lens gradually changes from a distance at the top to reading at the bottom. This means they look cosmetically better and are easier to use.

Contact lenses

These days almost everyone is suitable for contact lenses. If you would like to try them you will need a suitability trial appointment with your optician. During the trial, the optician will recommend a lens suitable for you, place a lens on your eye to show you how comfortable they are and take a few measurements. If you think you may want to go ahead we will provide you with a small sample of lenses so you can try them at home and show you how to put them in and take them out.

What about cleaning your lenses? We can recommend

CADENCE COMFORT MULTI-PURPOSE LENS SOLUTION

BENEFITS OF CADENCE COMFORT (COMFORT VUE) MULTI-PURPOSE SOLUTION 
  • Enhances contact lens comfort
  • Highly effective deep cleaning
  • Suitable for all lens types
  • Removes build-up of proteins and other deposits 
MORE ABOUT CADENCE COMFORT (COMFORT VUE) MULTI-PURPOSE SOLUTION

Cadence Comfort Multi-Purpose solution, formerly Sauflon Comfort Vue, is the perfect all-in-one solution for effective and deep cleaning of your lenses. This solution contains ‘Sterisoft’, a unique combination of ingredients that seek to provide an enhanced contact lens experience in terms of comfort by keeping your lenses lubricated for longer wearing times.

Cadence Comfort Multi-Purpose solution also has an outstanding microbial activity which ensures a deep cleans with every use – disinfecting and removing the build-up of irritating deposits, proteins and bacteria.

This solution is perfect for helping to prevent lenses from drying out at the end of the day, so for lens wearers with dry eyes, you are in the right place.