Multifocal Contact Lenses

How Multifocal Contact Lenses Work

• Multiple Optical Zones: Each multifocal lens contains concentric zones of progressively different powers, giving the eye access to the right focal distance whether you're reading, working at a screen, or looking across a room
• Pupil-Responsive Design: Leading multifocal designs are optimised around the natural behaviour of the pupil in different lighting conditions, maximising sharpness at each distance throughout the day
• Progressive Zone Transitions: Modern multifocal lenses use progressive optical geometry rather than hard-edged bifocal zones, creating smoother, more natural transitions between near and far vision
• Silicone Hydrogel Materials: Most modern multifocal lenses are made from silicone hydrogel, delivering the high oxygen transmissibility needed for comfortable all-day wear
• ADD Power: Your multifocal prescription includes an ADD value — the additional optical power needed for near vision — which your optometrist determines through a formal trial fitting

Is a Multifocal Lens Right for You?

• Presbyopia Diagnosis: You have been diagnosed with presbyopia and find yourself reaching for reading glasses over your contact lenses
• Multi-Distance Vision: You want clear vision at multiple distances — near, intermediate, and far — without combining contacts with reading glasses
• Optometrist Recommended: Your optometrist has assessed you as a suitable multifocal candidate and issued a multifocal contact lens prescription

Multifocal lenses may not suit everyone:

• Adaptation Period: Some wearers notice mild visual compromise at certain distances during adaptation, particularly in low light; most adjust within a few weeks


• Complex Prescriptions: Wearers with very high prescriptions or significant astigmatism may have fewer lens options — your optometrist can advise


• Astigmatism and Presbyopia: If you have both presbyopia and astigmatism, ask your optometrist about toric multifocal options such as Biofinity Toric Multifocal; speak with your optometrist before ordering.

Browse Multifocal Lenses by Replacement Schedule

A trial fitting with your optometrist is always recommended before committing to a full supply of multifocal lenses.

Daily multifocal contact lenses

• DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal — Alcon's flagship water gradient daily lens in a multifocal design; nearly 100% water at the outer surface for exceptional comfort, ideal for presbyopic wearers with dry or sensitive eyes
• 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST Multifocal — PUPIL OPTIMISED DESIGN delivers consistent vision across distances; LACREON® moisture technology provides a long-lasting cushion of hydration for comfortable all-day wear
• MyDay Daily Multifocal — CooperVision's silicone hydrogel daily multifocal combining advanced multifocal optics with a naturally soft, comfortable lens material
• clariti 1 day Multifocal — a silicone hydrogel daily multifocal from CooperVision delivering reliable breathable presbyopic correction at a practical price point
• DAILIES AquaComfort Plus Multifocal — a daily multifocal from Alcon with a triple-action moisture system for comfortable all-day presbyopic correction

Monthly multifocal contact lenses

• Biofinity Multifocal — CooperVision's most popular monthly multifocal; Balanced Progressive Technology delivers smooth transitions between near, intermediate, and far vision in a premium silicone hydrogel lens
• BAUSCH + LOMB ULTRA for Presbyopia — MoistureSeal® Technology maintains 95% of lens moisture for a full 16 hours; a premium monthly multifocal for presbyopic wearers who prioritise comfort
• PureVision 2 Multifocal — a silicone hydrogel monthly multifocal from Bausch + Lomb with High Definition™ Optics to reduce halos and glare

Frequently Asked Questions

What are multifocal contact lenses?
Multifocal contact lenses correct presbyopia by incorporating multiple optical zones into a single lens — typically a near zone for reading, a distance zone for far vision, and an intermediate zone in between. They allow the wearer to see clearly at a range of distances without needing reading glasses alongside contact lenses.

What is presbyopia and when does it start?
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects as the natural lens inside the eye stiffens with age. It typically becomes noticeable from the mid-40s onwards. Symptoms include difficulty reading small print, holding reading material further away to see it clearly, and eye strain after close work.

How are multifocal contact lenses different from bifocals?
Bifocal lenses have a sharper division between two optical zones — near and far. Multifocal lenses use concentric or progressive zones to create a gradual, more natural transition between near, intermediate, and far correction. Most modern multifocal contact lenses use progressive designs, which tend to feel more natural during everyday wear.

Are multifocal contact lenses harder to adjust to?
Multifocal lenses can take a short adaptation period — some wearers notice mild visual compromise at certain distances, particularly in lower light, as the eye learns to use different focal zones. Most wearers adapt within a few weeks. A trial fitting with your optometrist is essential before committing to a full supply.

Can I get multifocal contact lenses if I also have astigmatism?
Yes, some multifocal options are designed to correct both presbyopia and astigmatism simultaneously. Ask your optometrist whether a toric multifocal is appropriate for your prescription. Biofinity Toric Multifocal is designed specifically for wearers who need both corrections.

Do I need a new prescription to switch to multifocal contact lenses?
Yes. A multifocal prescription includes an ADD power value that is not present on a standard spherical or toric prescription. Your optometrist must formally fit and assess a multifocal lens on your eye to determine the correct lens design and ADD power — this cannot be determined from a glasses prescription alone.