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Glite Dictionary
🦠 In many areas 👓 With many focus points
multifocal

multifocal

6.7
A lens with more than one focus to help see near and far
  • adjective
  • /ˌmʌltiˈfoʊkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : multifocal
  • With multifocal contacts, patients can enjoy clear vision whether they are reading or looking across the room.
  • multifocal lenses
  • multifocal or bifocal
  • wear multifocal

Examples

  • The doctor explained that multifocal glasses can help improve vision at various distances without switching pairs.

  • Our finding that outdoor falls on single steps or curbs were associated with wearing multifocal or bifocal lenses is consistent with the results of several studies, including a recent randomized trial.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Many people opt for multifocal lenses to avoid needing separate glasses for reading and distance vision.

Synonyms

bifocal
vsmultifocal
1 6.1

Having two lens powers in glasses, one for near and one for far vision

is broader covering lenses with more than two focal points
trifocal
vsmultifocal
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A lens that lets you see near, middle, and far distances

is broader covering lenses with any number of focal points above one

Compounds

multifocal IOL
  • Specialized
6.7

A man-made lens put inside the eye that helps you see near and far

multifocal lens implant
  • Specialized
6.3

An artificial device put in the eye that helps you see near and far without glasses

How Many Foci

multifocal
  • Specialized
6.7
trifocal
  • Specialized
1 6.8
bifocal
1 6.1

Surface Forms

multifocal positive

Morphology

multifocal = focal (transparent) = multi + focus + al

The word is built transparently from 'multi-' plus 'focal', and the overall meaning 'having more than one focal point' is straightforward.

Etymology

Multifocal comes from multi- meaning 'many' and focal from focus meaning 'center' or 'point of sight'. So multifocal lenses have more than one 'center' to help you see clearly at different distances.