The management of presbyopia with contact lenses: a review

Although presbyopes represent a large and growing fraction of the population, only 2% of them have tried bifocal contact lens correction. Bifocal contact lenses have in the past been notorious for the chair time they required and for low success rates. But now the picture is beginning to change. The growing number of new and innovative lens designs is expanding the fitter's options and greatly increasing the chances of success. Success, however, depends on the fitter being able to select an appropriate lens for each patient. This paper reviews contact lens options available for presbyopic patients and discusses the patients for whom specific lens designs are most advantageous.