This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.
Multifocal contact lenses can present a challenge for all eyecare providers. Presbyopia is already a frustrating event in someone’s life and then trying to satisfy that frustration with contact lens wear is not a perfect process. While many patients would prefer to wear contact lenses for presbyopia, the current technology will occasionally fall short of someone’s expectation. This opportunity is huge and here are a few tips to help grow the number of presbyopes wearing contact lenses.
- Follow the Fit Guide Many practitioners think they know how to fit all multifocal contact lenses. Many believe that “once you have fit one, they are all the same.” The manufacturer fitting guides are all unique and will help streamline the number of contact lens follow-ups necessary along with improved success rates.
There were many clinical studies utilized in developing those guides, so capitalize on those potential educational learnings. If you think you understand the fitting guide, test yourself with potential patients because once you have a patient interested in wearing multifocal contact lenses again, don’t lose them in the fitting process. - Lowest Acceptable Add When choosing the add power of a multifocal contact lens (low, medium, or high), start with the lowest acceptable add the patient takes. While in the phoropter checking the near refraction, click in the add power slowly to determine where the patient perceives their near vision as “acceptable.” That number may sometimes be surprising and will often reveal a better starting point when choosing the multifocal contact lens add power.
Multifocal contact lenses are a growing category of wearers. Many manufacturers are developing new technologies, and many patients are turning presbyopic. Make sure to capitalize on this potential opportunity. Focus on a couple key steps to minimize the frustrations associated with fitting of presbyopic contact lens wearers.
