Clinical Pearls to Become a Soft Multifocal Expert
Kurt Moody, OD, and Cristina Schnider, OD, MSc, MBA, note that one of the best opportunities to improve a practice’s soft contact lens revenue, attract new patients and stand out as a contact lens expert is to become proficient at fitting soft multifocal contact lenses. To that end, they examine tips and tricks for upping a practitioner’s multifocal game.
Clinical Scorecard: Clinical Pearls to Become a Soft Multifocal Expert
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Presbyopia Key Mechanisms Soft multifocal lenses split incoming light into multiple focal points to extend depth of focus. Target Population Adults aged 40 and older, particularly those experiencing presbyopia. Care Setting Optometric practices.
Key Highlights
Soft multifocal lenses have been available since the mid-1980s. Only 9% of adults in the multifocal age range received recommendations for contact lenses. Modern multifocal designs use aspheric center-near designs to reduce visual compromise. Accurate refraction is critical for successful multifocal lens fitting. The red/green balance test is an effective method for achieving maximum plus refraction. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess visual demands and lifestyle of the patient. Gather key examination data: best refraction, sensory ocular dominance, functional add at near. Management
Follow manufacturer-specific fitting guides for lens selection. Use aspheric designs to minimize visual compromise. Monitoring & Follow-up
Evaluate patient comfort and vision post-fitting. Adjust lens parameters based on patient feedback. Risks
Over-minusing at distance can lead to higher add power and increased visual compromise. Errors in examination data can significantly affect fitting outcomes. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults over 40, particularly those with presbyopia.
Utilize the red/green test for optimal refraction and fitting of multifocal lenses.
Clinical Best Practices
Perform refractions in ambient lighting to account for pupil size. Use the red/green balance test monocularly for accurate maximum plus refraction. Understand the optical design of each multifocal lens to optimize fitting. References
