Contact lenses represent an excellent option for patients with presbyopia, especially with improved optical designs available in modern day soft multifocals.1 Beyond the ability for the patient to regain near vision, multifocal contact lenses also present opportunities for practice growth.2
Despite these insights, more than half of patients who wear soft multifocal contact lenses drop out during the first year, with many discontinuing wear within the first 2 months.3 This fact alone underscores an opportunity for ECPs to better support their soft multifocal contact lens wearers.
Dr. Nicky Lai, Associate Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, offers six key strategies to position patients with presbyopia for success in multifocal contact lens wear.
1. Lay the Groundwork Early
Step one in multifocal contact lens success is early preparation by the ECP and practice, Dr. Lai advises. Specifically, Dr. Lai describes visual changes and needs before the patient begins to experience them.
“This helps patients understand what to expect and recognize when their vision needs our help,” Dr. Lai says. “Set realistic expectations by investigating the patient’s lifestyle, environment, and visual demands. Let them know what lens options are available and emphasize that starting multifocal lens wear early (with lower add powers) generally results in better adaptation and success.”
Early on, it’s also important for the ECP to dispel common patient fears, such as the misconception that multifocals significantly compromise distance vision. It highlights that patients often gain much more in usable intermediate and near vision, which adds real value, he continues.
“Reframe the conversation around near vision. Instead of ‘losing’ distance vision, emphasize that multifocals are helping give that full range of vision back,” Dr. Lai explains
2. Rely on Modern Multifocal Contact Lens Designs
Advances in lens materials from early multifocal designs have significantly enhanced comfort and visual clarity, Dr. Lai notes. Newer multifocal designs take into account a broader understanding of ocular characteristics like pupil size, which vary among individuals, and refractive errors, he adds.
“This allows for more customized lens designs and Add powers that improve function and satisfaction. Modern optics and ongoing research have led to lenses that better match individual refractive needs and lifestyle requirements,” Dr. Lai continues.
3. Consider Must-Have Deliverables in a Multifocal Contact Lens
Simply put, Dr. Lai advises that multifocal contact lenses should provide the following:
- Good comfort and stable vision across distances.
- Customization for specific visual needs.
- Easy adaptation to new visual experiences.
- Ocular health and overall convenience.
“The ultimate goal is for patients not to have to think about their vision throughout the day,” he says.
4. Add the Latest Products to Your Multifocal Toolbox
The optical design of Binocular Progressive System™ found in clariti® 1 day multifocal 3 Add shows thoughtful attention to the challenges of squeezing a range of lens powers into the limited space of a contact lens, Dr. Lai suggests.
The use of binocularity supports seamless vision, even at higher add powers, Dr. Lai continues.4 Additionally, near vision in the clariti® 1 day multifocal 3 Add improves significantly even at low add powers in both eyes, allowing more flexibility in meeting varying visual needs, he adds.4
“The reality is that higher add power contact lenses optics are really hard to design without significant compromise to either distance or add power,” Dr. Lai says. “The Binocular Progressive System™ in the clariti® 1 day multifocal 3 Add recognizes this and leans in to make the near vision in the high add option work for the patient.4 As a contact lens fitter, I want to understand lens design so I can troubleshoot with the flexibility to personalize vision for my patients.”
Further, the clariti® 1 day multifocal 3 Add is an accessible option in cost, value, and ease of wear for patients who may be hesitant about daily disposable multifocal lenses, making it easier for more patients to try a multifocal option, Dr. Lai explains.*4
5. Turn to Designs that Address Varying Levels of Presbyopia
clariti® 1 day multifocal 3 Add’s Binocular Progressive System™ offers more flexibility for customizing vision across a range of presbyopia stages, Dr. Lai says.4 Additionally, the fitting guide is straightforward5 and helps ensure successful outcomes, he notes.6
Dr. Lai explains how Binocular Progressive System™ works for a range of presbyopia needs:
- For lower Add powers, the emphasis remains on maintaining sharp distance vision while subtly enhancing near performance.4
- For medium Adds, using the dominant eye for distance and the non-dominant eye for near/intermediate helps provide a wider functional range.4
- High Add designs use specialized optics to support demanding near tasks while maintaining balance across distance and intermediate ranges, resulting in a more complete visual experience.4
Additionally, OptiExpert® can help speed up the contact lens selection process for multifocal contact lens fitting whether it’s a baseline multifocal prescription for a new wearer or change in Rx.7
6. Prescribe with Confidence
The mechanics of fitting multifocals are not difficult, especially with today's modern fitting guides, Dr. Lai says.
“With the right patient education and expectations, success rates can be high,” Dr. Lai concludes. “Clinicians should feel confident incorporating multifocal lenses as a standard offering in presbyopia management.”
Find out more about clariti® 1 day multifocal 3 Add. And for additional multifocal contact lens resources and learnings, visit CooperVision’s Online Success Center.
Dr. Nicky Lai is an Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He received his Doctor of Optometry and Masters in Vision Science from OSU in 2003. He is the instructor for the Contact Lens Laboratory and Advanced Contact Lens lab. He currently serves as co-Chair of the Admissions Committee and was previously the Chief of the Contact Lens Service at the OSU College of Optometry main clinic. Dr. Lai also serves as the Cornea and Contact Lens Residency coordinator.
