Finding the right pair of multifocal contact lenses has the potential to be life-changing. By blending together two or more prescriptions in one lens, multifocals provide you with a full range of vision, allow your eyes the ability to focus clearly on objects at all distances, and free you from the frustration and inconvenience of having to carry around and switch between separate pairs of glasses with different prescriptions. To help you find the ideal multifocals for your lifestyle, in this article we’ll introduce you to the top five multifocal contact lenses on the market in 2020.
We reviewed dozens of multifocal contact lenses to identify the best of the best. We examined a range of factors, including materials, comfort, shape, clarity, convenience, cost, and average customer reviews. All of these top-rated multifocal contact lenses can be purchased online at the sites listed below.
Best Multifocal Lenses Overall
1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals
Meet the 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals, the best multifocal lenses out there for all-day comfort and clear vision.
Having considered a large number of multifocal contact lenses, we chose the 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals as our top pick. These lenses not only provide peerlessly clear and crisp vision of near and far objects thanks to Johnson and Johnson’s proprietary Lacreon technology, but also offer outstanding all-day comfort, stay centered on your eyes throughout the day, and boast built-in UV protection to boot.
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The 5 Top-Rated Multifocal Contact Lenses
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Multifocal Lenses Overall | 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals | 4.5 |
| Best Bi-Weekly Multifocal Lenses | Bausch & Lomb Soflens Multifocal Lenses | 4.3 |
| Best Budget Multifocal Lenses | Dailies AquaComfort Plus Multifocals | 4.0 |
| Best Multifocal Lenses for Dry Eyes | AIR OPTIX AQUA Multifocal Lenses | 4.6 |
| Best RGP Multifocal Lenses | Independent RGP Labs Optimum Comfort Multifocal Lenses | 4.0 |
*Ratings are from the time of publication and can change
Best Multifocal Contact Lenses Overall: 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals
Best Multifocal Lenses Overall
1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals
Meet the 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals, the best multifocal lenses out there for all-day comfort and clear vision.
After considering a wide array of options, the multifocal contact lenses that win our vote as the best on the market in 2020 are the 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals.
These lenses are made by Johnson & Johnson, which is almost universally recognized as the market-leading brand in the contact lens industry.
The Acuvue Moist Multifocals use Johnson & Johnson’s proprietary Lacreon technology, which is specially developed to eliminate the stress and discomfort of wearing contacts by locking in moisture in all day long. They also feature built-in UV protection and use a specially curved design that ensures they stay centered on your eyes throughout the day and provide sharp and clear vision in any circumstances, whether you are reading a book on the sofa, out on a hike, or taking part in more dynamic sports or activities that typically cause less effective lenses to shift around.
The three main boxes that need checking when buying any kind of contact lenses are comfort, clarity, and value for money, and in each of these aspects the Acuvue Moist Multifocals score top marks.
1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocals Key Features:
- 90 lenses per box
- 4 boxes per eye equals a year supply
- Daily disposal
- Built-in UV protection
- Stay centered all day long
- Tinted for handling visibility
- Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson
Best Weekly Multifocal Contact Lenses: Bausch & Lomb Soflens Multifocal Lenses
Best Bi-Weekly Multifocal Lenses
Bausch & Lomb Soflens Multifocal Lenses
These superbly comfortable lens are available in two different ADD powers to accommodate the needs of different users.
The Bausch & Lomb Soflens Multifocal Lenses are the ideal choice of multifocal lenses for users who want long-lasting lens that provide both outstanding comfort and great value for money.
These lenses win our vote ahead of all the other weekly or bi-weekly lenses out there on account of their unique and highly effective “Moisture Seal” technology. While some bi-weekly lenses have a tendency to dry out and start feeling a little sticky or gritty after after ten hours or so, this innovative technology helps to keep the lenses feeling smooth beneath your eyelids and also enhance breathability and comfort by maintaining 95% of the lenses’ moisture for a up to 16 hours.
These multifocal lenses are ideally suited to people who spend a lot time on their phones or in front of computer screens. When we’re looking at the screens of our digital devices we blink less and this can lead to dryness and discomfort over the duration of a day. The effectiveness of the Moisture Seal technology used in these lenses, however, ensures that they remain comfortable and adequately moist even after hours in front of a screen.
Finally, because the needs of different users vary widely, these lenses are available in two different ADD powers: a low ADD design (progressive up to +1.5D) and a high ADD design (progressive up to +2.5D).
Bausch & Lomb Soflens Multifocal Lenses Key Features:
- 6 lenses per box
- 4 boxes per eye equals a year supply
- Biweekly disposal
- Tinted for handling visibility
- Available in two different ADD powers (up to +1.5D and +2.5D)
- Maintain moisture for up to 16 hours
Best Budget Multifocal Contact Lenses: Dailies AquaComfort Plus Multifocal
Best Budget Multifocal Lenses
Dailies AquaComfort Plus Multifocal Lenses
These lenses have a high water and oxygen content and provide outstanding all-day comfort for less than $1.80 per day.
The Dailies AquaComfort Plus Multifocal Lenses are one of the few types of multifocal lenses you can buy for less than $2 per day. Their low-cost, however, should not be taken as an indicator of lower quality or effectiveness.
These lenses are made with nelfilcon A, which is a form of silicone hydrogel that boasts an impressive 69% water content and a high level of oxygen permeability, both of which help to ensure clear vision and all-day comfort for the user.
The most impressive feature of these lenses is what makers Alcom term “blink-activated moisture technology”, which, in layman’s terms, refers to their capacity to release moisture into the eye every time you blink, thereby making the lenses very comfortable to wear for longer durations and even if you happen to spend a lot of your time in front of a screen.
All in all, a great choice for anyone who needs a pair of lenses for both reading and viewing far away objects but doesn’t want to pay through the nose for the pleasure.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus Multifocal Key Features:
- 90 lenses per box
- 4 boxes per eye equals a year supply
- Daily disposal
- Tinted for handling visibility
- 69% water content
- High oxygen permeability
Best Multifocal Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes
Best Multifocal Lenses for Dry Eyes
AIR OPTIX AQUA Multifocal Lenses
These lenses use a unique wetting agent that lets your eyelids glide easily over the lens and also allow up to 5 times more oxygen through the lens than their competitors.
AIR OPTIX AQUA Multifocal Lenses are ideal for users who struggle with both nearsightedness and farsightedness, are prone to dry eyes, or who frequently experience discomfort with their current contact lenses, particularly towards the end of long days at work in front of a computer screen.
These multifocal lenses’ Aqua Moisture System uses a unique wetting agent with hydrophilic properties that lets your eyelids glide easily over the lens and allows up to 5 times more oxygen through the lens than regular soft multifocal lenses. Both of these features deliver high comfort levels throughout the day and are designed to ease the strain you can sometimes feel after prolonged use of computers or mobile phones (i.e. “digital strain”).
The Air Optix Multifocals also us SmartShield technology to keep out dust and particles, are slightly tinted to facilitate handling, and offer a far smoother transition between near and far correction than most regular bifocals, meaning they can provide clearer vision throughout the day in a wider variety of situations.
AIR OPTIX AQUA Multifocal Lenses Key Features:
- 33% water content
- SmartShield Technology helps keep out dust and other particles
- 6 lenses per box
- 2 boxes per eye equals a year supply
- Monthly disposal
- Tinted for added visibility when handling
Best RGP Multifocal Contact Lenses: Independent RGP Labs Optimum Comfort Multifocal Lenses
Best RGP Multifocal Lenses
Independent RGP Labs Optimum Comfort Multifocal Lenses
These very reasonably priced lenses last up to a year and can be customized to meet your precise needs and prescription.
The Independent RGP Labs Optimum Comfort Multifocal Lenses are a great choice of contact lenses for users who are happy to forego the convenience of single-day contact lenses in return for significant long-term savings and a product that can, moreover, outperform dailies in many key factors.
These lenses cost just $34 per lens and can last up to a year, meaning they not only save you accumulating a lot of plastic waste in your trash can over the year but also a healthy handful of dollars.
While the ideal of using Rigid Gas Permeation (RGP) lenses doesn’t appeal to everyone, there are a number of benefits to doing so—most RGP lenses allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than soft contact lenses, are slightly larger, and can be fitted closer to the surface of the eye, all of which makes them more comfortable to wear, easier to get used to, and more likely to stay in place when you’re doing sports. RGP lenses also provide superior clarity, durability, and deposit (dust and particle) resistance than soft contact lenses, and, because they last longer than soft lenses, almost always work out cheaper in the longer term.
The Independent RGP Labs’ Optimum Comfort Lenses are no exception to the general observations listed above. These daily-wear RGP lenses cost a fraction of the average price of single-use lenses over the course of a year, can be customized to match your exact prescription and needs,and offer enhanced moisture retention and oxygen transmission thanks to their use of Independent’s patented Roflufocon B polymer material, which offers superior levels of immediate and long-term user comfort and easier handling than the majority of RGP competitors.
Independent RGP Labs Optimum Comfort Multifocal Lenses Key Features:
- Last up to a year
- Fully customizable to your prescription
- Oxygen permeable
- A good option for people who have had difficulty wearing soft lenses or eyeglasses
- Supercone, Bi-Toric, Toric, Front Toric, Back Toric, and Rose K versions available
If you’re in search of a way to ditch your glasses or a more versatile contact lens than your current bifocals, these top-rated multifocal lenses are a great choice. For more products that can improve your health and wellness, check out our reviews of the Best Heating Pads and the Best Magnesium Supplements.
FAQs
Who makes the best multifocal lenses? ›
- Biofinity Multifocal. ...
- Dailies Total 1 Multifocal. ...
- Clariti 1 Day Multifocal. ...
- Air Optix Aqua Multifocal. ...
- Proclear 1 Day Multifocal. ...
- Purevision2 for Presbyopia. ...
- ACUVUE OASYS® for Presbyopia* ...
- Proclear Multifocal.
Getting used to multifocal contact lenses might take you just an hour or so, or a day or two. For a few people, adjusting takes a little longer, for some no time at all. Yet once your eyes and brain have adapted to the new way of seeing, multifocal magic becomes a daily joy.
Why are my new multifocal contacts blurry? ›However, it's not uncommon for things to appear fuzzy in the distance from time to time. This type of contact lens contains multiple prescriptions, and they use some of your distance vision to help with your nearby vision. That can make your vision blurry at a distance.
Why is my distance vision blurry with multifocal contacts? ›One of the most frequently asked questions in the clinic is why multifocal contacts are blurry in the distance. There is a little give and take that happens with the physics of bending light here. Multifocals essentially take away a bit of your distance clarity to allow you to see well up close.
What are the disadvantages of multifocal lenses? ›Disadvantages of Multifocal Lenses
While multifocal lenses improve near, far, and intermediate vision, many people still have difficulty seeing up close. Although they can see the computer screen, their vision is blurry when trying to read a book. However, this can be corrected with reading glasses.
With the many lenses available to us it allows me to have a better than 90% success rate with multifocal contact lenses. My preference with any contact lens wearer is to utilize a daily modality and 73% of the contact lenses we sell are daily lenses.
Can multifocal contact lens prescription be wrong? ›If you have been successfully wearing multifocals before then it is likely there is something wrong with either the fitting or prescription of the lens. If you haven't worn multifocal lenses before it may be an adaptation issue but it is worth discussing with your optometrist.
How does the brain adapt to multifocal contact lenses? ›Because the visual cortex contains no prewired circuitry that allows it to digest information from multifocal lenses, the brain requires a period of adjustment known as neuroadaptation that involves suppressing near vision when gazing at distant objects and restricting distance vision when focusing up close.
Does it take time to get used to multifocal lenses? ›Wearing your multifocals as often as you can will help train your eyes to move between the different powers of the lenses easily. Most people are able to adjust to their multifocals in a week or two.
Are people happy with multifocal lenses? ›Conclusions. The majority of patients who received either accommodating or multifocal IOLs remain satisfied with their lens of choice more than 5 years after the original surgery. Glare and halos remain more noticeable in patients who received multifocal lenses.
Can multifocal contacts make you dizzy? ›
Some distortion or dizziness isn't uncommon in patients new to multifocal lenses. This discomfort occurs due to the different lens powers in their bifocals or trifocals. Expect these reactions to go away after a few weeks of regularly wearing your eyeglasses.
Do you still need reading glasses with multifocal contacts? ›Con: You May Still Need Reading Glasses
Unfortunately, in some cases, multifocal contacts can cause your vision to be a bit blurry at different distances. Some bifocal and multifocal brands may provide better distance vision while others offer better distance vision.
When you wear contact lenses there is no minimizing or maximizing the images you see. When you wear glasses, image size is being introduced into the equation. Think about it like using a magnifying glass.
Which is better monovision or multifocal contacts? ›Monovision can be the better choice for high prescriptions. Multifocals or bifocals may be unable to provide stronger prescriptions for people who need stronger prescriptions for higher levels of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
What does D or N mean on multifocal contacts? ›D/N: D/N stands for dominant or nondominant eye—multifocal and bifocal contacts have different levels of vision correction for each. Your dominant eye is associated with distance vision, and your nondominant eye is associated with near vision.
Who is not a candidate for multifocal lenses? ›If someone has an ocular comorbidity in either eye (eg, severe dry eye disease, irregular astigmatism, epiretinal membranes, macular degeneration), he or she is not eligible for a multifocal IOL.
Can you drive at night with multifocal lenses? ›If you wear monovision or multifocal contact lenses you may find that your distance vision, especially at dusk is compromised. You may need to consider wearing glasses for driving at night, or swapping to a pair of distance only contact lenses, to give you the best vision.
Do multifocal halos go away? ›With the Panoptix lens or any multifocal lens, it is normal to have some glow as well as halos for the first six weeks or so. They generally tend to get better but do not completely go away.
Are progressives the same as multifocal? ›Progressive lenses are multifocal with three prescriptions in a pair of eyeglasses. They're a three-for-one combo in eyewear. Bifocals and trifocals work similarly to progressive lenses and feature either two or three prescriptions in a pair of glasses.
Are multifocal lenses worth the money? ›Multifocal IOLs aren't for everyone. However, if you are a candidate for this surgery, the benefits generally outweigh the associated risks. Reduced lifetime cost of glasses and contacts. Multifocal IOLs can decrease your need for reading glasses or computer glasses after cataract surgery.
What is the average cost of multifocal contact lenses? ›
How Much Do Multifocal Contacts Cost? Disposable multifocal contacts cost approximately $30 to $120 per month or $300 to $800 per year. These contacts are typically worn to treat presbyopia, and can be daily, biweekly, or monthly lenses.
Can you wear just one multifocal contact lens? ›Many people with presbyopia utilize this type of eyewear, and if this is you, and you only have vision loss symptoms in one eye, there's no need to get an extra contact lens. Wearing one contact lens for distance and not using anything for near vision isn't bad if you don't have issues seeing things up close.
What is the most important factor to know about a patient when prescribing multifocal lenses? ›Overall, multifocal lens design choice is controlled by pupil size: if the patient's pupil is smaller than the zone configuration, vision will be impossible to view through the peripheral zone. Additionally, the older the patient is, the smaller their pupil area likely will be, due to senile miosis.
Can multifocal lenses cause headaches? ›Progressive lenses can be a frustrating thing for many people to try to get used to. They can cause dizziness, headaches, depth perception problems and more. Most of the time you're told to 'just get used to it' (that's what many eye doctors are taught in school).
Who should not get multifocal IOL? ›If someone has an ocular comorbidity in either eye (eg, severe dry eye disease, irregular astigmatism, epiretinal membranes, macular degeneration), he or she is not eligible for a multifocal IOL.
What is the average cost of multifocal lens for cataract? ›For an advanced technology lens, which corrects astigmatism, there's usually an additional $500 or $1,000 cost per eye. For a multifocal lens, there are extra costs ranging from $1,500 to $4,000; however, costs can fall outside of those ranges as well.
Are all multifocal lenses the same? ›There are three different types of multifocal lenses:
Standard progressive. Premium progressive.
Bausch & Lomb ULTRA Contact Lenses
The ULTRA lenses by Bausch & Lomb check off two important boxes, which is why they're our pick for best overall. They're made from silicone hydrogel, which not only keeps eyes moist but also allows more oxygen to pass through than other materials.
YES. Not only does Costco perform “contact lens” eye exams, but they also sell them along with contact accessories. Top brands they sell include CooperVision, Bausch + Lomb, Kirkland Signature, and Alcon. The Kirkland Signature contact lenses are by far the best value, with savings up to 50% off.
Does Medicare pay for multifocal lens? ›Does Medicare cover multifocal lenses in cataract surgery? No. Medicare only covers a monofocal IOL. You can use glasses to make up the difference after surgery.
How much does Medicare pay for cataract surgery in 2022? ›
Under Medicare's 2022 payment structure, the national average for allowed charges for cataract surgery in outpatient hospital units is $2,079 for the facility fee and $548 for the doctor fee for surgery on one eye. Of the $2,627 total, Medicare pays $2,101 and the patient coinsurance is $524.
What are the problems with multifocals? ›Among the most common symptoms patients experience when wearing multifocal eyeglasses for the first time are headaches, nausea, dizziness and depth perception problems. You might feel a swim and sway effect, be uncomfortable using the stairs, and have a hard time focusing between intermediate and near distances.
Do multifocal lenses come in dailies? ›DAILIES TOTAL1® Multifocal contact lenses have multiple prescriptions, allowing you to see clearly near through far without the hassle of reading glasses.