Innovations in gas permeable multifocal contact lenses

Correspondence: edward S Bennett College of Optometry, University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA Tel +1 314 516 6258 Fax +1 314 516 6708 email ebennett@umsl.edu Abstract: A current area of great consumer interest, as well as potential for practice growth, pertains to the contact lens correction of presbyopia. In particular many recent innovations with gas permeable multifocal lens designs have resulted in them comparing favorably – and often superiorly – to both soft multifocal lenses and monovision lenses, notably in the area of quality of vision. Gas permeable (GP) back surface aspheric multifocal designs have become increasingly popular because newer designs often are able to incorporate higher add powers than their predecessors, often via the addition of add power to the front surface of the lens. In addition, several front surface lens designs have recently been introduced which have the benefits of minimizing any corneal topography changes as they are typically fit in alignment with the cornea, while also providing a higher add than can be provided on the back surface of the lens. Some high specific gravity materials have been introduced which potentially allow for thinner lenses which have less mass and may exhibit more consistent centration than aspheric multifocal designs in conventional materials. New segmented, translating designs are available with the ability to provide an intermediate correction while the introduction of a hybrid design provides the practitioner with a viable option when a GP lens results in either poor centration of excessive subjective awareness.