This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.

The global contact lens market continues to expand, largely due to the correction of presbyopia.¹ In 2022, the global market size was valued at US$9.90 billion and is projected to grow from US$10.35 billion in 2023 to US$15.40 billion in 2030.¹ In developing nations, the prevalence of unmanaged presbyopia is up to 50% of those aged 50 years and older; however, even in developed countries, the prevalence of unmanaged presbyopia is as high as 34%.² Fortunately, we have a wide array of lens types and designs to offer our presbyopic patients.

Types of contact lens materials vary from soft to rigid to hybrid, and lens designs—such as multifocal, monovision, modified monovision, and distance contact lenses with which patients wear reading glasses for near vision—are diverse. The options we choose depend on each patient’s visual goals. Most studies demonstrate that patients prefer multifocal contact lenses over monovision contact lenses, even in subjective or “real world” situations.³ Although many individuals who have presbyopia wear over-the-counter reading glasses over their contact lenses, many people also prefer to be spectacle-independent.

Soft Toric Multifocal Contact Lenses

Soft toric multifocal contact lenses are available in both commercially standard parameters and custom-made designs from manufacturers such as CooperVision, Concise Custom Soft, and SpecialEyes. Commercially available lenses offer various replacement options and a range of multifocal designs, while custom-designed lenses can specify multiple parameters including base curve, diameter, and power. Custom optic zones can also be manufactured for several lens types. Options for custom monthly replacement soft toric multifocals in both standard hydrogel and silicone hydrogel materials are vast and offer combinations of sphere (+30.00D to –30.00D), cylinder (–0.75D to –10.00D), axis (any degree), and add power (up to +4.00D).

Numerous custom designs, including near-center, distance-center, and aspheric near-center and distance-center, are made to order.

Revive  A novel soft multifocal toric lens option, Revive, offers sphere, toric, and multifocal powers. This custom soft toric multifocal is available in standard and custom parameters with adaptative tri-zone technology, which is helpful for flat or steep corneas or small or large pupils. This technology also provides customizable near-add zones (from 1.8mm to 3.0mm) for multifocal alignment. Among Revive’s additional features are:

• Sphere powers that extend from +/–30.00D in 0.25D steps
• Add power options that range from +0.50D to +3.00D in 0.25D steps
• Cylinder powers that range from –0.50D to –10.00D in 0.25D steps and 1º increments
• Dual elliptical stabilization with a thin ballast that is available in multifocal toric
• Custom diameters that are available from 10.0mm to 16.0mm

Lentechs  Lentechs is inventing a new generation of suspended soft contact lenses for presbyopia with astigmatism and without astigmatism, as well as single-vision with and without astigmatism.⁴ These lenses are created to be suspended from the inside of the upper lid and float above the cornea on the tear film with Apioc technology. Lens optics are fabricated to provide crisp vision correction at distance, intermediate, and near. Lentechs lenses also have free, translational eye movement behind the rotationally stable, centered contact lens. Because the eye moves freely behind the contact lens, patients can access the actual prescription needed for each distance of visual correction.

We are fortunate to have multiple contact lens treatment options for presbyopia so we can individualize and customize each presbyope’s management strategy to meet their needs and provide them with excellent vision and spectacle independence.

REFERENCES

1. Fortune Business Insights. Contact Lenses Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Modality (Reusable, and Disposable), By Design (Toric, Multifocal, and Spherical), By Distribution Channel (Ophthalmologists, Retail Stores, and Online Stores), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030. April 2023. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/contact-lenses-market-101775. Accessed August 8, 2023.

2. Fricke TR, Tahhan N, Resnikoff S, et al. Global Prevalence of Presbyopia and Vision Impairment from Uncorrected Presbyopia: Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Modelling. Ophthalmology. 2018 Oct;125:1492-1499.

3. Woods J, Woods CA, Fonn D. Early symptomatic presbyopes--what correction modality works best? Eye Contact Lens. 2009 Sep;35:221-226.

4. Lentechs. https://www.lentechs.com/ Accessed August 6, 2023.

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, is the director of optometry at the University of California, Davis in Davis, specializing in anterior segment disease and specialty contact lenses. She is the past president of the Scleral Lens Education Society. She is an advisor to and/or has received honoraria or travel expenses from AccuLens, Alcon, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Bruder, Contamac, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Ocusoft, ScienceBased Health, Shire, Tarsus, and Visus Therapeutics.