Reading restaurant menus and texting at arm’s length used to take no thought at all. For many people in their 40s, that changes. The up-close focus starts to slip, and the glasses that worked for years may no longer be enough. This change is called presbyopia. It is a normal part of aging, and it affects nearly everyone eventually. Multifocal contact lenses are one way to address it. This guide answers the questions we hear most often at our Scottsdale specialty contact lens practice.
Quick answer: Multifocal contact lenses place both your distance prescription and your reading glass prescription within one lens, so both are available at once. They can be amazing, but results depend on your eyes, your daily routine, and a careful fitting.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia occurs when the natural lens inside the eye loses flexibility, making it harder to focus on nearby objects. It usually becomes noticeable in the 40s and continues to change through the 50s and 60s. Reading glasses, bifocals, monovision contact lenses, multifocal contact lenses, and surgical options are all used to manage it. The best choice depends on your visual demands, your hobbies, and your expectations!
How do multifocal contact lenses work?
Multifocal contact lenses give the eye more than one focusing power at the same time. Simultaneous vision designs come in two common forms: concentric lenses have rings of near and distance power, and the brain learns to select the clearer image for each task. Aspheric lenses change power gradually from the center to the edge, somewhat like progressive eyeglasses, without visible rings. Multifocal contact lenses can come in soft contact lenses, custom soft lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, hybrid lenses, and scleral lenses.
Segmented rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses use a different layout. The distance zone sits at the top and center, and the near zone sits at the bottom, with a visible line between them. Some segmented designs add an intermediate zone for computer distance.
Soft multifocal lenses are the most common option for many patients, and soft designs can also correct astigmatism through toric designs. Hybrid lenses combine a rigid center with a soft outer skirt for those who need a different balance of clarity and comfort.
Monovision is another approach. One eye is corrected for distance and the other for near, often with single-vision lenses. Some people adapt to this well, while others find the difference between the two eyes uncomfortable. If the patient prioritizes distance vision over near vision, combining one lens just for distance, and the other lens with a multifocal design, can be a great answer. In our practice, we order all lenses with warranties so you can try out the lenses prior to committing to one prescription and find which works best for you.
Are multifocal contact lenses as sharp as glasses?
Be realistic about what to expect. Multifocal contact lenses usually cannot match the crispness of well-made bifocal or progressive eyeglasses. Many wearers accept that tradeoff because the convenience of clear vision without glasses matters to them. Some people still reach for glasses for night driving or very small print. A trial period lets you judge clarity and comfort in your own life before committing to a custom design.
What happens during a multifocal fitting?
A thorough fitting starts with measuring your distance and near prescription, then evaluating the tear film and the surface of your eyes. Trial lenses are used to test clarity at different distances, and the In Focus team asks how the lenses feel during your normal day. Expect follow-up visits to check how your vision and comfort change over several days and weeks. Adaptation time differs from person to person, and the first pair is not always the final pair.
When might scleral lenses be part of the conversation?
Standard multifocal lenses may not feel stable or comfortable for everyone. Patients with irregular corneas, keratoconus, corneal scarring, or significant dry eye sometimes need a different approach. Advanced scleral lenses are one option we discuss in those cases. They rest on the white of the eye and vault over the cornea, and they can be designed to address a range of visual needs.
Frequently asked questions
Do multifocal contact lenses correct astigmatism?
Yes. Custom soft lenses, hybrid lenses, GP lenses, and scleral lenses can all correct any level of astigmatism. Commercially available soft toric multifocal designs can also correct astigmatism but higher levels of astigmatism might need more custom options.
The first daily disposable contact lens for people with both astigmatism and presbyopia launched in 2025. It is called ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL for ASTIGMATISM. The right design depends on your prescription and the shape of your cornea.
Do multifocal lenses come in daily disposable options?
Yes, several multifocal designs are available as daily disposables, as well as monthly and two-week replacement options. Your eye care provider will recommend the replacement schedule and wearing pattern that fit your eyes.
Can I try multifocal lenses before committing?
Yes. A consultation and fitting process typically includes trial lenses so you can judge comfort and clarity in person before a custom design is ordered.
Here is a detailed list of multifocal contact lens options:
Commercially available multifocal soft contact lenses:
These are lenses that are available online and at any big box retailer, and your local optometrists office!
- Monthly Replacement Lenses: Air Optix, Alcon TOTAL30, Alcon TOTAL30 for Astigmatism, PureVision Multi-Focal, PureVision2 for Presbyopia, ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism, ULTRA for Presbyopia, Biofinity Multifocal, Biofinity Toric Multifocal, Proclear Multifocal, Proclear Multifocal XR, Proclear Multifocal Toric, Menicon Miru 1month Multifocal.
- Lenses Replaced Every 2-Weeks: Acuvue Oasys Multifocal
- Daily Disposable Lenses: DAILIES AquaComfort Plus Multifocal, DAILIES Total 1 Multifocal, Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia, Infuse Multifocal, Clariti 1 Day Multifocal 3 Add, MyDay Multifocal, Proclear 1 Day Multifocal, 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocal, Acuvue Oasys Max 1 Day Multifocal, Acuvue Oasys Max 1 Day Multifocal for Astigmatism, NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day.
Commercially available multifocal soft contact lenses with astigmatism:
- Monthly Replacement Multifocal Lenses with Astigmatism: Biofinity Toric Multifocal, Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism, Total30 Multifocal for Astigmatism
- Daily Disposable Multifocal Lenses with Astigmatism: Acuvue Oasys Max 1 Day Multifocal for Astigmatism
Custom soft multifocal lenses, and custom soft multifocal lenses with astigmatism
These are lenses that require a customized fitting. They are for the difficult-to-fit eyes, where regular soft contact lenses just don’t work, or are outside of regular parameters such as: eyes that have high amounts of astigmatism, or for whom lenses rotate often, resulting in poor vision.
- Bausch + Lomb / Alden Optical: Revive Multifocal, Revive Multifocal Toric
- SpecialEyes: SpecialEyes 54 Multifocal, SpecialEyes 54 Multifocal Toric, SpecialEyes 54 Bifocal.
- Art Optical: Intelliwave Multifocal, Intelliwave Multifocal Toric.
- Advanced Vision Technologies (AVT): NaturaSoft Multifocal, NaturaSoft Multifocal Toric.
- ABB Optical Group / PolyVue: ABB Custom Multifocal, ABB Custom Multifocal Toric, PolyVue HDX Multifocal, PolyVue HDX Multifocal Toric, PolyVue HDX Toric Progressive Multifocal, PolyVue HDX2 Multifocal.
- Metro Optics: MetroSoft.
Next steps
If reading, screens, or night driving have become harder, a conversation can help sort out your options. Call 480-420-4243 or request an appointment through our website to find out whether multifocal contact lenses may fit your needs. We serve patients in Scottsdale and across the country.
