Bifocals are used by looking through the top part of the lens for distance vision and the bottom part for close-up tasks like reading.
Here's a breakdown of how to effectively use bifocals:
Understanding Bifocal Lenses
- Top Portion: The top portion of the lens is typically prescribed for distance vision, allowing you to see objects far away clearly, which is essential for activities like driving, watching television, or simply walking around.
- Bottom Portion: The bottom portion, usually a smaller segment, is designed for near vision, making it ideal for reading, working on a computer, or other close-up tasks.
Adapting to Bifocals
Adjusting to bifocals can take some time. Here are some tips:
- Head Position: You'll need to learn to adjust your head position instead of just your eyes. For distance, look straight ahead or slightly up. For near vision, lower your chin slightly to look through the bottom segment.
- Reading: When reading, hold the material at a comfortable distance and look down through the lower portion of the lens.
- Walking Down Stairs: Be especially careful when walking down stairs. Tilt your head down to ensure you're looking through the distance portion of the lens to clearly see the steps. New bifocal wearers sometimes misjudge steps looking through the reading portion.
- Computer Use: You might need a separate pair of glasses for computer use, depending on the distance to your screen. Bifocals might not be optimized for this intermediate distance. Consider trifocals or progressive lenses for this purpose, or computer glasses specifically designed for the distance to your monitor.
Troubleshooting
- Dizziness or Nausea: If you experience dizziness or nausea, it might be due to the transition between the two prescriptions. This usually subsides as you adjust. If it persists, consult your eye doctor.
- Blurry Vision: Ensure you're looking through the correct part of the lens for the task you're performing. If blurry vision continues, you may need an adjustment to your prescription.
In essence, using bifocals effectively involves learning to shift your gaze and head position to utilize the appropriate lens power for the task at hand, whether it's seeing distant objects or focusing on close-up work.
