What to Do If a Person Can't Get Used to Wearing Bifocals

Sometime around age 40, most people start holding menus, newspapers and books a little further away. A visit to the eye doctor will likely result in a diagnosis of presbyopia, which essentially means that the eyes are aging and struggling to adjust, as well as a prescription for bifocals, which have one lens for up-close vision and one for objects in the distance. The dual lenses, however, can be frustrating to many wearers who may feel dizzy or confused by what they see initally.

Eyeball Your Options

• Invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 1700s, bifocals have come a long way and most people can grow accustomed to wearing them.

  First of all, give yourself some time to get used to a new set of glasses--walking down the stairs might feel different, and it takes time to get used to seeing out of one lens for close-up objects and another for objects in the distance. Allow at least a week before you tear them off in frustration!

  One option includes invisible bifocals (also known as blended or seamless bifocals), which don't have the visible line between the close-up and distance lenses. The only issue with this type of glasses is that the area of blending can cause blurry vision.

  Bifocal contacts are another option for those who don't like wearing glasses; if you're already familiar with contacts and if you're especially active, this alternative might work better for you. Again, have some patience and give yourself a little time to get used to them.

  To prevent neck strain and headaches, practice looking down through the lenses when you're reading--if you start tilting your head and neck back to see, you'll develop a bad habit that will turn into a real pain in the neck.

Final Considerations

• Finally, talk with your eye doctor who might recommend different options for you based on your lifestyle and vision issues. Despite initial challenges with bifocals, most people do adjust to wearing them, enabling them to see everything in their field of vision with clarity, convenience and ease.