Are You Frustrated with the Need to Wear Reading Glasses Over Your Contacts?
You’re not alone.
One of the most common things we hear from our contact lens wearers over 40 is:
“My contacts work great for distance… but now I need reading glasses on top just to check a text or read a menu. What gives?”
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry — it’s a completely normal part of how our eyes change over time. The good news is, modern contact lens strategies like multifocals and monovision can help you see clearly again, both far away and up close, without juggling readers all day.
✨ Key Takeaway
Presbyopia is normal, but frustration doesn’t have to be. Multifocal and monovision contact lenses offer practical, effective solutions so you can keep enjoying the convenience of contacts — without the hassle of readers.
Why This Happens: Presbyopia 101
Starting in our early 40s, the natural lens inside the eye begins to lose its ability to flex and change focus — this is called presbyopia.
You might notice you have to hold your phone farther away, or that restaurant menus look blurrier than they used to. Even if your distance vision is perfectly corrected by your contact lenses, presbyopia makes close-up work harder.
For many people, the simplest quick fix is to wear over-the-counter reading glasses over their contacts. But let’s be honest — constantly putting readers on and off gets old fast. That’s why many patients ask us:
“Isn’t there a better way than wearing two sets of lenses?”
Yes, there is.
Multifocal Contact Lenses — The “Built-In Readers”
Multifocal contact lenses are designed with different prescription zones in each lens, allowing your eyes to focus at multiple distances — near, intermediate, and far — all at once.
Think of them like progressive glasses, but in contact lens form.
Benefits of multifocal contacts:
- Clearer vision at multiple distances without extra readers
- Natural binocular vision (both eyes working together)
- Great for everyday activities — driving, reading, computer work, dining out
Fitting multifocal contacts is a bit of an art. There’s no single “perfect” design for everyone, so we personalize the fitting based on your prescription, eye health, and daily visual needs.
One concept we often discuss is the “80% rule”:
“If you can see 80% of what you need to see without glasses and are happy 80% of the time, that’s considered a successful multifocal fit — and we strive to surpass that.”
For many patients, multifocals are a game changer. But they’re not the only option.
Monovision Contact Lenses — A Clever Alternative
Monovision is another strategy we use, where one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other is corrected for near vision.
Your brain does something amazing — it learns to use each eye for what it’s best at, often seamlessly.
Benefits of monovision:
- Simple lens design — often using the same lenses you already wear
- Many patients adapt quickly, especially if they’re motivated to ditch readers
- Excellent for active patients who value clear distance vision but still want functional near vision
Monovision doesn’t make your eyes “younger,” but it can offer a practical, effective workaround for many people frustrated with readers.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Every patient is different.
Some thrive with multifocals right away. Others love monovision. Some even prefer a “modified multifocal” approach — for example, one multifocal lens and one distance-only lens — to fine-tune their vision for their daily life.
The key is a personalized fitting.
During your contact lens evaluation, we’ll talk about your work, hobbies, vision goals, and comfort preferences. Then we’ll try different lens designs to find what works best for you.
For many patients, this process involves testing a few lens types over a couple of weeks. That’s completely normal — it’s how we get the sharpest, most comfortable results.
You Don’t Have to Settle for “Contacts + Readers”
If you’ve been wearing contact lenses for years, the transition into presbyopia can feel frustrating — like your eyes “changed overnight.” But it doesn’t mean your only option is to give up contacts or juggle readers everywhere you go.
With multifocal or monovision contact lenses, most patients can enjoy great vision at all distances and get back to living their lives without constantly reaching for glasses.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you’re tired of wearing reading glasses over your contacts, we can help.
Our Seattle eye doctors have extensive experience fitting multifocal and monovision contact lenses, and we’ll work with you to find the strategy that best fits your eyes, lifestyle, and visual goals.
👉 Schedule a contact lens consultation at Cannon EyeCare today and discover how modern lenses can help you see clearly — near, far, and everywhere in between.
