Multifocal Contact Lenses!

Multifocal contact lenses work very differently than multifocal (or bifocal) glasses.  When you wear bifocal or no-line bifocal (progressive/multifocal) glasses the reading prescription is towards the bottom of the lenses.  As a result, you must move your eyes down and the clear reading area will be found.

However, multifocal contact lenses (we call them multifocal due to their ability to address far, computer, and reading distances...bifocal implies only two distances) work on a completely different concept.   Most multifocal contacts work based on pupil reactions.  When an individual looks up close to read, the pupils constrict and become a completely different size than when that individual is looking at street signs far away.   Multifocal contacts take advantage of this natural variation in pupil sizes by placing distant and near prescriptions in different areas of the lenses.

There are several different manufacturers of multifocal contacts, and they each have their own unique method of distributing the prescription across the lens.  The two most common designs are concentric and aspheric.
Translating design can be found in some rigid gas permeable (hard) contacts.

Yet, the best multifocal contact lens design will ultimately depend on your prescription, visual requirements, and pupil size.    But with several brands, there are many options for those who need multifocal glasses and want to experience the convenience of contact lenses.

With all of the technology that goes in to the lenses, it seems like they should look like this!!!

Who Needs an HD TV When You've Got an HD OCT?

The newest technology now available at Lifetime Eye Care allows us to scan a patient’s retina for glaucoma and macular degeneration, and it does it without dilation! This new instrument is called the Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT and it is truly state of the art. The Zeiss OCT uses ultrasound and a scanning laser to make a very high resolution, 3D image of the inside of your eye, much like that of an MRI. We can now identify retinal objects as small as 4 microns. So how small is 4 microns? A single sheet of 20 lb copy paper is 100 microns thick. This new technology allows us to detect glaucoma and macular degeneration much earlier as well as allowing us to detect and track subtle retinal changes.
Who is a candidate for this new technology? Anyone with a family or personal history of glaucoma, glaucoma suspect or macular degeneration should take advantage of this technology.  It is completely painless, completely safe and only takes a few seconds to complete.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Buy Your Contacts from Us!

1. You are guaranteed to get the correct lenses in the correct parameters

2. You are guaranteed to get unexpired lenses
3. If your lenses are not performing properly you don’t have to worry about exchanging your old lenses
4. You can exchange unopened, unexpired, unmarked boxes in new condition at your yearly eye exam
5. If you have a defective lens, we will replace it free of charge
6. We have the latest manufacturer’s rebates available to save you money
7. Competitive pricing (Don’t just assume because we offer the best service our prices are higher)
8. FREE shipping
9. You will be getting the lenses from an authorized distributor of the brand you wear
10. You will have the satisfaction of supporting a local business that cares about you and your eye

Have You Seen Your Retina Lately?

The retina is the back surface of the eye and contains all of the really important parts for our vision. A retina examination should be a part of any comprehensive eye examination. Even when vision seems fine, annual eye health evaluations are important for monitoring ocular health and detecting early signs of ocular conditions. Many of these conditions may only become noticeable to patients after significant damage has occurred. By this time, treatment becomes a complicated process. But annual eye exams can facilitate earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.

So, here’s my retina, and I would be happy to show you yours.

Also, for extra-credit, here is a video of a segment from The Doctors featuring the instrument used to take this image. Pretty cool!

Polarized lenses...Not just for fishermen anymore!

As a follow-up to our last blog entry on lens options I wanted to explain how polarized lenses work and why they are so great! 

The Science (que Charlie Brown teacher voice)
Sunlight reflects off of surfaces like the road and windshields in a horizontal manner.  These combined horizontal reflects can be annoying and distracting.  Polarized lenses act like vertical blinds and block horizontal reflections.  This creates a clearer and more comfortable view.  Regular tinted sunglasses do not specifically target these bothersome horizontal reflections.

See it to believe it...


vision with non-polarized lenses



vision with polarized lenses


Interesting fact
Some digital screens that we come across in daily life are also polarized such those in some car dash displays, cell phones and gas pumps. If the screen is set up so that it only transmits horizontal waves of light and the polarized sunglasses block horizontal light...you guessed it...black screen!  As I said before though, I always wear polarized sunglasses and VERY rarely ever have to take them off for this reason.