A clinical evaluation of two multifocal soft contact lenses.

We fit two multifocal soft contact lenses, Bausch & Lomb's Bi-Tech and the Unilens contact lens from Unilens Corporation, in two separate populations of presbyopes. Most patients (24/42, 57%) had no prior contact lens experience. Patients were evaluated at 6 and 12 months for comfort, visual acuity, lens fit, and corneal findings. Both distance and near vision were found to be slightly decreased with each contact lens when compared to best corrected visual acuity with spectacles. Seventy-seven percent (14/18) of the Unilens wearers and 67% (16/24) of the Bi-Tech wearers continued to wear their lenses for at least 1 year. Those who discontinued lens wear did so because they were dissatisfied with their vision. Presbyopes who seek correction with soft contact lenses appear to be more tolerant of a decrease in distance vision than a decrease in near vision. Both lenses were comfortable and no corneal pathology was induced. Our results suggest that the Unilens (simultaneous vision design) provides more predictable correction of presbyopic symptoms than the Bi-Tech (alternating vision design) because it is independent of lower lid position and translation. Both of these lenses are viable options for the correction of presbyopic symptoms.