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If you have multiple prescriptions for your vision, you may feel like you're always juggling between different pairs of glasses or even glasses and contacts. And it can become even more challenging as you age and your eyes naturally need a little help with reading. Trying to keep up with everything can feel frustrating!
Multifocal contact lenses may be the solution you're looking for. This guide will help you better understand how these modern contacts work, how much they cost and the different options available to you.
What Are Multifocal Contact Lenses?
Multifocal contact lenses combine multiple prescriptions into one contact lens.1 While they tend to be most commonly prescribed when you need reading glasses, they may sometimes be recommended for younger ages, too.
Types
There are several types of multifocal contact lenses:
- Alternating or segmented. These are similar to bifocals, with more clearly divided zones.1 For example, they may use the top part of the lens for distance and the bottom for closer vision.2
- Aspheric or progressive. These blend your prescription powers across the lens.2 They create a seamless transition from one prescription to another, with no visible lines between them.1 Typically, the outer edges correct your close-up vision, and the center is dedicated to your distance vision.3
- Concentric. These are designed like a bullseye, with one prescription in the center, and your near and distance prescriptions alternating around it in rings.3 They tend to feel more natural than a segmented top/bottom division.1
You can also choose among different materials and styles for your multifocal contacts, such as:
- Soft contacts, rigid gas-permeable (hard) contacts or a hybrid of both2
- Scleral contacts that cover more of the surface of your eye4
- Toric multifocal lenses for astigmatism5
- Extended wear or disposables2
You'll also want to note that multifocal contact lenses are not the same as multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). Getting an IOL involves permanently removing your eye's natural lens via surgery and replacing it with a multifocal IOL. These can be great solutions but also have side effects like some loss of contrast vision, which can affect seeing at night.6
What Do Multifocal Contact Lenses Treat?
Multifocal contacts are most commonly used to treat a condition called presbyopia.1 As you age, your eye's natural lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on things up close.7 You may find that you have a tough time reading labels on a prescription, or you may need to hold your book farther away from you to read it.7
If you develop presbyopia and don't already have any other refractive vision issues requiring glasses or contacts (like nearsightedness or astigmatism), you'll likely only need reading glasses. But if you have one or more other vision issues, your doctor may recommend multifocal contact lenses, allowing you to use multiple prescriptions at the same time.7
These versatile contacts might even be recommended by your eye care provider if you don't have presbyopia. For example, for children developing myopia, these lenses are sometimes used off-label to slow progression.8
Difference Between Multifocal and Bifocal Contacts
Both multifocal contacts and bifocal contacts are prescribed for people with presbyopia.9 While bifocals have a sharp divide between the near and far zones on the contact lens, multifocals tend to create a more gradual transition between close reading and normal, distance vision.10
For example, bifocal contacts may be segmented, with the upper part of the lens containing the far-vision prescription and the lower part with the near-vision prescription.11 Multifocals might blend the prescriptions across the entire surface of the lens.2
Because of how they're designed, multifocals can also treat people with more than two vision issues (such as people with presbyopia, myopia and astigmatism). Bifocals are limited to just two prescriptions.1
Multifocal Lens Costs
The national average cost* for multifocal contacts is $279 per year, but the cost ranges between $216 and $548. The price can vary based on your specific prescription and even the materials the contacts are made from. Gas-permeable lenses will cost more than soft contacts, for example.12
Your cost will also vary based on the brand you choose, additional prescriptions you might need (like astigmatism) and how many lenses you're buying at once.1
Average cost of multifocal contacts by state/district
Your geographic region can also affect the cost of your multifocal contacts. Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of multifocal lenses across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.12
| State/District | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $243 |
| Alaska | $339 |
| Arizona | $286 |
| Arkansas | $252 |
| California | $344 |
| Colorado | $287 |
| Connecticut | $291 |
| Delaware | $279 |
| District of Columbia | $336 |
| Florida | $278 |
Does Insurance Cover Multifocal Lenses?
Vision insurance will usually cover at least part of the cost of your multifocal contacts. This could be in the form of a percentage discount on your lenses. Or, it might be in the form of a maximum amount the plan will cover per year. Either way, you would be left covering the rest.13
You might be able to cover at least part of this using benefits like your FSA (flexible savings account) or HSA (health savings account).1 But you'll still want to have a financing alternative in mind to help cover the rest of your out-of-pocket costs.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Wearing Multifocal Lenses?
You may be a good candidate for multifocal contacts if:
- You're over 40 and experiencing presbyopia.9
- You don't want to wear reading glasses.10
- You're already wearing glasses or contacts for a different vision issue, like myopia, and just developed presbyopia.1
- You have two vision issues, such as myopia and astigmatism.1
- You're already comfortable wearing contacts.2
You may not be a good candidate if:1
- You have chronic dry eye, which can make wearing any type of contact lens difficult. In this case, glasses might be a better option.
- Your distance vision exceeds 1 diopter for astigmatism. Multifocals might still work for you, but you'll likely need more time to adjust.
- You expect 20/20 vision from your contacts and will be unsatisfied without it.
- You'll get frustrated if your eyes need time to adjust when shifting from close to distance vision or vice versa.
More Information About Multifocal Contacts
This section will walk you through the basics of getting multifocal contacts and wearing them.
How to get multifocal contact lenses
Multifocal contacts require a prescription.3 You'll need to visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist to get a fresh eye exam that assesses your current prescription and any new eye problems that may have developed since your last visit.3 You'll discuss your lifestyle to help determine which type of contacts are best for you.1
You'll also be given a fitting, with multiple measurements taken of your eyes, to make sure your contacts fit correctly and aren't uncomfortable.3
How to put in your contacts
Multifocal contacts are inserted and taken out just like any other pair of contact lenses. Your eye doctor can show you if you've never worn contacts before.3
If you're using contacts with segmented top and bottom zones, you may need to take them out and reinsert them if you put them in the wrong way, so the prescription zones cover your eye properly.
Caring for your contacts
You'll care for your multifocal contacts just like you would regular contact lenses. This means cleaning them daily (unless your contacts are the daily disposable kind). Use the contact solution recommended by your optometrist, and store your contacts in a clean case with fresh solution.14
Don't sleep in your contacts, since this can increase your chance of eye infections. And replace your contacts according to the brand's instructions, whether daily, weekly or monthly.14
Possible Side Effects
Multifocal contact lenses are generally safe to wear. But as with any new prescription, you may notice some potential side effects:1
- You may experience a glare at night or hazy vision while your eyes adjust.10
- Concentric multifocal lenses may feel uncomfortable as your pupils change size (such as when you enter a dark room), putting the concentric rings a bit out of balance with your pupil size.
- Your brain may need time to adjust to shifting between the different prescriptions on your lens. Sometimes, wearing multifocal glasses first before switching to contacts can help.
Multifocal Contact Lenses Can Improve Your Quality of Life
Multifocal contact lenses are an excellent solution for people who don't want to wear glasses as they age but find themselves needing an additional reading prescription alongside their existing ones for glasses or contacts. While these contacts may take some time to get used to, many people love them and enjoy finally being free of glasses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Multifocal Contact Lenses
Do you still have questions about multifocal contact lenses? Here are answers to commonly asked questions about these contacts work.
Financing Multifocal Contact Lenses With the CareCredit Credit Card
Whether you’re purchasing stylish new frames, getting contacts or due for an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit so you can see all that life has to offer. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.
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