By Dr. Sabrina Gaan
As eye care professionals (ECPs), we spend much of our time helping our patients manage the functional effects of presbyopia. Yet, these first signs of presbyopia often represent something much more significant than just a change in near vision. For many patients, it’s an unwelcome reminder that they’re getting older—and that emotional response can influence everything from treatment acceptance to long-term satisfaction.
New consumer research from CooperVision (available to download here) explores this intersection of vision correction and the psychology of aging. By taking a deeper dive into how patients perceive aging, appearance, and vision correction together, the report’s findings provide valuable context for conversations many of us are already having every day in practice—and suggest there may be opportunities to introduce multifocal contact lenses even earlier on in the patient journey.
Aging Is Personal—and Increasingly Proactive
By the time patients notice changes to their near vision, many are already thinking about aging and how to maintain a youthful appearance and active lifestyle.
- According to the survey, 67% of U.S. respondents want to maintain a youthful appearance as they age, and 49% specifically care about how their eyes look over time.*1
As consumers invest more in skin care, nutrition, exercise, and aesthetic treatments, vision care has an opportunity to become part of the healthy aging conversation. The anti-aging market continues to grow, yet many people are still seeking practical solutions that help them feel confident and like themselves as they age.
CooperVision’s findings highlight an important opportunity for ECPs: while multifocal contact lenses are traditionally viewed as a vision correction solution, patients may see them as more than that—a way to support confidence, independence, and a familiar sense of self.
Awareness Changes the Equation
The research suggests many patients don’t realize multifocal contact lenses are an option, presenting a major opportunity for ECPs to simply start the conversation.
- One-quarter of respondents were completely unaware of the category, while another 35% had heard the term but knew little about it.†1 A separate study found awareness is only 51% among vision-corrected U.S. adults experiencing nearsightedness.2
- The encouraging finding is what happens once patients understand the option: among respondents who were very familiar with multifocal lenses, 77% said they would consider wearing them.‡1
An Anti-Aging Option in Clear Sight
One of the more surprising findings from the research wasn't simply that patients valued multifocal contact lenses—it was how they valued them. After respondents were introduced to multifocal contact lenses, they were asked to rank their top three preferences from a list of 10 anti-aging products and services that included multifocal contact lenses.
- Multifocal contact lenses were the fourth most frequent top 3 selection, placing alongside aesthetic dental care and fitness memberships.§1 They trailed only skin care and nutritional supplements while significantly outperforming cosmetic procedures.
To me, this reinforces that patients don't necessarily compartmentalize vision correction the way we often do. They see it as part of a larger effort to age well. When patients can see clearly without relying on readers—and in many cases avoid the look or inconvenience of glasses—they recognize benefits that extend well beyond visual acuity.
Addressable Barriers
As promising as these findings are, they also remind us that successful multifocal adoption still depends on addressing several common concerns. Fortunately, the biggest barriers identified in the survey are ones we have the ability to influence through education and patient communication.
- Before patients even consider multifocal contact lenses, lack of awareness remains the greatest obstacle, cited by 31% of respondents overall◊ and nearly half (48%)¶ of those ages 38 to 42.§1 Once patients understood what multifocal contact lenses are, however, the conversation shifted. Perceived cost became the leading barrier to adoption (41%).**1 But that word—perceived—is important.
In my experience, patients often assume contact lenses are significantly more expensive than they actually are, particularly when compared with the other products and services they're already purchasing to maintain their appearance and lifestyle. Providing context around cost, demonstrating how easy today's multifocal lenses are to fit and wear, and setting realistic expectations can transform what initially feels like a barrier into a productive discussion.
Begin the Conversation Before Symptoms Emerge
One of the clearest messages from the research is that patients want us to lead the conversation—not to wait until they're frustrated enough to ask.
- Sixty-two percent of respondents ages 38 to 47 said they wanted their eye doctor to guide them through the transition to presbyopia with detailed information about their vision correction options.††1 Among respondents ages 38 to 42, nearly half (45%) said they would prefer those conversations to begin before symptoms even appeared.‡‡1
That's a valuable reminder that patient education shouldn't begin with the first complaint about near vision. Instead, we have an opportunity to normalize presbyopia years in advance, helping patients understand that it's a natural part of aging—and reassuring them that effective solutions already exist.
Making Aging Conversations Productive
Talking about aging requires sensitivity, but it shouldn’t be something we avoid. As ECPs, we routinely discuss age-related changes with patients, and presbyopia should be no exception. The key is focusing on the patient’s experience—not their age.
Introducing presbyopia before symptoms become disruptive helps patients feel prepared rather than surprised. By setting expectations early and highlighting available options, we can make the transition feel like a natural progression rather than a setback.
A Roadmap for Patient and Practice Gains
Taken together, these findings reinforce what many of us have observed in practice: the presbyopia conversation is about more than near vision. It's about helping patients navigate an important life transition with solutions that support how they want to live, work, and present themselves.
Earlier conversations about multifocal contact lenses, particularly those that acknowledge patients' broader lifestyle goals, have the potential to improve both patient outcomes and practice growth.
CooperVision supports these conversations with a range of multifocal contact lens options across the MyDay® daily disposable, clariti® 1 day, and Biofinity® families, providing fitting options for a wide range of presbyopic patients.3
Read the Full Report
To explore the complete findings and additional insights into the psychology of presbyopia and multifocal contact lens adoption, download the full CooperVision® Insights Report: https://coopervision.com/practitioner/tools-and-resources/presbyopia-insights-report-2026. You can also read more insights in the full Depth of Focus article here: https://coopervision.com/practitioner/depth-of-focus.
Dr. Sabrina Gaan is the owner of Eyes on Plainville in Plainville, Massachusetts. She has a particular interest in myopia control and dry eye. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from San Jose State University while earning her license as a dispensing optician. After falling in love with the industry, Dr. Gaan received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2009. She decided to move to Massachusetts after her VA rotation in Jamaica Plain, MA. When she’s not in the office, Dr. Gaan enjoys spending time with her two kids and often travels back to San Francisco to see her family.
