If you've noticed a difference in your vision that makes focusing at close distances difficult, you are not alone. About 100 million Americans experience what Eye Care Professionals call presbyopia (pres-bee-OH-pee-uh). This vision condition is a natural part of life that occurs in virtually everyone.

Some people start noticing symptoms around age 40, while others may not notice anything until later. Once presbyopia begins, your vision and the way it's corrected will continue to change. It will become vital that you have regular eye exams and that you clearly communicate with your Eye Care Professional about your vision needs and expectations.

What Are the Signs?

Recognizing the signs of presbyopia largely depends on the daily tasks or routines you perform and your need to focus close-up. There are some classic signs associated with presbyopia that you can look for:

• Do you tend to move things further away to help you focus or read — like a menu?
• Have you experienced difficulty performing certain close-up tasks, such as reading fine print in the newspaper or threading a needle?
• Is reading not as enjoyable as it once was because you become sleepy, get headaches or have trouble focusing?
• Do you have difficulty reading in dim light?

If you've noticed any of these signs, be sure to tell your Eye Care Professional so he or she can determine if you're becoming presbyopic and if vision correction is needed at this time.

Easy to Use

ACUVUE® Brand BIFOCAL Contact Lenses are extremely easy to use because once you put them on, you can forget about them the rest of the day. Other convenient features include:

• An inside-out indicator — so they go on right the first time
• Visibility tint — so you can easily see them in the case and on your finger
• Flexible wear schedules — to fit your lifestyle

Innovation

When the makers of ACUVUE®, the number-one doctor-prescribed brand of contact lenses, developed ACUVUE® BIFOCAL Contact Lenses, it was a technological breakthrough. That's because ACUVUE® BIFOCAL is the only contact lens with PUPIL INTELLIGENT DESIGN™. It has five invisible, concentric zones that allow you to see clearly both near and far. So you won't find yourself having to think about which part of the lens to use — you simply put them on and go.

Know What to Expect from Presbyopia

There are a number of ways to correct presbyopia. In fact, recent technology has led to the development of advanced forms of presbyopic vision correction, including contact lenses. However, it's important to understand that any option you choose to correct presbyopia requires some adaptation, and none can provide the vision you may have experienced when you were younger. In fact, you shouldn't be surprised if your prescription changes more frequently than before. That's because presbyopia is a progressive condition, so it has a tendency to change over time.

You should consult your Eye Care Professional to determine which form of vision correction is right for you based on your individual needs. Your choices for presbyopia include different kinds of eyeglasses and contact lenses.

See for Yourself — Free* Trial Pair Offer

If you'd like to try ACUVUE® BIFOCAL Contact Lenses, click here to get a Free* Trial Pair Certificate. You'll also be able to locate an Eye Care Professional near you and learn about a great rebate offer.

Available by prescription only.

*Professional exam and fitting fees are not included. Free Trial Pair Certificate valid while supplies last at a participating Eye Care Professional. Only an Eye Doctor can determine if ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are right for you. You may only redeem the original certificate. No photocopies will be accepted. Limit one certificate per person. Offer valid only within the United States of America.

Important Information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you.

[Page updated March 2007]