Presbyopia correction » Can contact lenses correct presbyopia?

Many presbyopic patients, especially those who are not accustomed to wearing eyeglasses, are interested in contact lens correction of their refractive error. There are a variety of ways to correct presbyopia with contact lenses. Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages. The patient is individual priorities and visual demands can help decide which option to pursue.

Supplemental eyeglass correction, in the form of either reading eyeglasses over full distance correction in contacts or distance eyeglasses over near contact lens correction, may provide the clearest vision at all distances.

However, this mode of correction requires removal and replacement of eyeglasses for visual tasks at various distances and may not be most convenient for the patient. Monovision (prescription of additional plus for one eye) is very convenient but can cause a decrease in binocularity.

Multifocal contact lenses

Multifocal lenses can be divided into two types: translating and simultaneous vision designs.

Translating multifocal contact lenses (segmented or concentric designs) are made of rigid gas permeable materials. Though translating multifocals provide very clear distance and near vision, patients may initially notice more lid sensation with these lenses than with single visions designs.

Simultaneous vision contact lenses (concentric, aspheric, or diffraction designs) are available in both rigid gas permeable and hydrogel materials. These contacts are as comfortable as single vision contact lenses, but patients may report decreased visual acuity with them. The initial interview with the patient helps determine particular visual demands and priorities, and promotes the selection of a modality that best meets the patient is needs.

The amount of add power needed by the patient is important in selecting an appropriate modality. Thus, it is useful to divide presbyopia into three stages: early, moderate, and advanced.