Do Multifocal Contact Lenses for Astigmatism Exist?

Having astigmatism can be quite a hassle if you wear contact lenses. So can being above the age of 40 and needing multifocal contact lenses. But what if you have astigmatism and you're over 40 years old? Can you get multifocal contact lenses for astigmatism? The answer is yes you can. Will it be easy? No it will not.

Brands of Multifocal Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

In the North American market there are currently only 2 brands of multifocal contact lenses for astigmatism available. They are:

• Proclear Multifocal Toric by CooperVision
• Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism

Let's take a deeper look at each.

Proclear Multifocal Toric

Features

Launched circa 2007, Proclear Multifocal Toric is now over a decade old and it was in fact the very first monthly multifocal contact lens for astigmatism.

Note: An informational brochure for Proclear Multifocal Toric was previously available here but is no longer accessible.

Parameters

Material	Water Content	Base Curve	Diameter	Sphere Range	Cylinder Range	Axis	Add Powers	Design
Omafilcon A	59%	8.4 / 8.8	14.4mm	+20.00 to −20.00	−0.75 to −5.75	5° to 180°	+1.00 to +4.00	Dominant/Non-Dominant

Proclear Multifocal Toric Pros

Range

Proclear Multifocal Toric is available in a mind-blowing range of parameters. No matter how high or complicated your prescription is, you're very unlikely to fall outside of Proclear Multifocal Toric's impressive power range.

Availability

Given that it has been around for over a decade, Proclear Multifocal Toric is not difficult to find. Most contact lens outlets and websites will sell this brand.

Longevity

Also due to how long it's been around, eye doctors are more likely to have experience fitting this brand compared to any other brand of multifocal contact lens for astigmatism.

Proclear Multifocal Toric Cons

Cost

Despite the fact that it is much older than its newer counterpart Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism, it's actually more expensive. This is most likely due to the very high level of complexity in the lens design, and its very low demand.

Design

Proclear Multifocal Toric is a dominant/non-dominant eye design. That means that while wearing these lenses, one eye will see better in the distance and one eye will see better up close. When both eyes are working together the brain is able to combine the information and make a single clear image of the world. But if something happens to obstruct the vision of one of the eyes, the vision will be negatively affected.

Another issue with dominant/non-dominant eye designs is that eye doctors are trained to optimize the dominant eye for distance viewing and the non-dominant eye for near viewing. For people who do a lot of reading and computer work, this may lead to increased eyestrain.

Material

The material used in Proclear Multifocal Toric, omafilcon A, is known as a 'conventional' hydrogel material. 'Conventional' means that it does not contain silicone molecules, which is now the industry standard because of how much more breathable it makes contact lenses.

If you've ever had complications from contact lenses or your eye doctor thinks the health of your eyes may be at risk, this may not be an appropriate brand for you.

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism

Features

Launching in 2019, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism is the world's first silicone hydrogel monthly multifocal contact lens for astigmatism.

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism combines 3 of Bausch + Lomb's previously existing technologies:

1. MoistureSeal Technology
2. 3-Zone Progressive Design
3. OpticAlign Design

MoistureSeal Technology

MoistureSeal Technology is the technology that all the Bausch + Lomb ULTRA brand contact lenses are based on. It refers to the way the Bausch + Lomb ULTRA material is manufactured.

The manufacturing process creates a lens that combines silicone (what makes the contacts breathable) and PVP (what makes the contact lenses comfortable) in a unique way which maximizes the beneficial features of each while minimizing their downsides.

There are some mixed customer reviews on this technology. Many can be found in the comments section of my Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Review.

3-Zone Progressive Design

Bausch + Lomb's 3-Zone Progressive Design has been used in both their ULTRA for Presbyopia and Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia contact lenses.

It offers an inner zone for near viewing, a middle ring for indeterminate distance viewing (computer distance) and an outer ring for distance viewing.

In contrast to other multifocal contact lens designs, 3-Zone Progressive Design is not a dominant/non-dominant design. This means that both eyes use the same design making fitting, wearing and ordering a lot more simple.

For more information, visit Bausch + Lomb's 3-Zone Progressive Design page.

OpticAlign Design

OpticAlign Design is the mechanism that prevents the contact lenses from rotating while they're on your eyes. This is crucial in maintaining clear and stable vision for people with astigmatism. For more details, visit the OpticAlign Design page.

Parameters

Material	Water Content	Base Curve	Diameter	Sphere Range	Cylinder Range	Axis	Add Powers	Design
Samfilcon A	46%	8.5mm	14.2mm	+4.00D to −6.00D	−0.75D, −1.25D, −1.75D	10° to 180°	Low / High	3-Zone Progressive

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism Pros

Cost

Despite the very advanced technologies involved in making Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism, it is surprisingly affordable.

Comfort

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism's MoistureSeal Technology gives it a big advantage over Proclear Multifocal Toric in the area of comfort.

Breathability

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism is a silicone hydrogel contact lens as opposed to Proclear Multifocal Toric which is a conventional hydrogel. This means that Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism allows much more oxygen to reach your eyes.

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism Cons

Range

Although the range of parameters of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism should cover most prescriptions, it's nowhere near the range of its competitor Proclear Multifocal Toric.

Availability

As of now, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism is still very new and could be difficult to find, especially online.

Where Can You Get Multifocal Contact Lenses for Astigmatism?

Just like all contact lenses you have many different options. You can order them through your eye doctor's office, you can get them through any optical dispensary that sells contact lenses, or you can purchase them online.

Finding the Lowest Price

Knowing what website sells the brand you're looking for at the lowest price can make a huge difference in how much you will pay for your contact lenses.

That's why Contacts Advice routinely price shops the top contact lens websites to find the lowest price for all leading brands, including the 2 discussed in this article. Visit the Contacts Advice price comparison page to find current prices.