Determining the Add for Your Contact Lenses Based on Your Glasses Prescription

To determine the add addition for your contact lens prescription based on your glasses prescription, follow these guidelines:

Determine the Sphere Power

The add is typically added to the distance prescription to create a near vision prescription. For instance, if your glasses prescription is 2.50, this will be your starting point.

Calculate the Add

The add for contact lenses is often around 1.00 to 2.00 diopters, depending on your age and the level of presbyopia. For someone with a 2.50 distance prescription, a common add might be around 1.50 to 2.00 diopters. However, the exact add can vary based on specific factors related to your vision needs and the recommendations of your eye care professional. It is best to consult with your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a precise add for your contact lenses.

Age and Vision Needs Matter

Contact lenses do not always require the same add as glasses. This needs to be determined in a fitting appointment by an optometrist or some opticians. For individuals under 33 years old, you almost certainly do not need any "add" on top of your current distance Rx in order to see up close. On the other hand, if you are over 45 years old, you almost certainly do need an "add" over your distance prescription in order to see up close. The amount of the "add" that you need to see up close depends on how close or far you hold materials when reading and how much residual accommodative amplitude you have left. It’s important to see your eye doctor to determine the precise add for you.

Understanding Add for Contacts

For those looking to get multifocal contacts on their own, the success rate is approximately 20%. Typically, the add for contacts is the same as in glasses, although in a couple of brands, it works better when the add is reduced in one eye to allow for better distance vision in the dominant eye. There are several different brands, and they all work differently. Most people’s brains will only accept one of those ways, and only about 50% of the time will any work. Multifocal contacts are a lot more complicated than they might seem.

Consulting your eye care professional is crucial for determining the correct add for your contact lenses. Ignoring this step may lead to poor vision and discomfort. If you are not after multifocal contacts, wanting to know if the add is the same makes no sense, as multifocal contacts are designed to address presbyopia and improve near and distant vision simultaneously.

Conclusion

Whether you are under 33 or over 45, understanding the add for your contact lenses is critical for good vision. Consulting with your eye care professional can provide you with the precise prescription necessary for optimal vision. Remember, the add for contact lenses and glasses can differ, and consulting a professional is the best course of action to achieve the best possible vision correction.