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Bifocal contact lenses allow a person to see clearly both at a distance and up close by correcting near, intermediate, and distance vision. Anyone interested in trying bifocal contact lenses can consult an eye doctor to help them choose the most suitable type.

A quick look at 9 of the best bifocal contact lenses

An estimated 45 million people in the United States wear contact lenses to correct refractive errors. These occur when light cannot accurately focus on the retina due to the eye’s shape. Examples of refractive errors are:

It is possible to correct refractive errors with eyewear, such as glasses and contact lenses.

In this article, we review nine of the best bifocal contact lenses available online. We also look at some alternatives and discuss ways to prevent eyestrain.

Bifocal contact lenses come as either soft or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses.

Soft lenses are flexible and more comfortable, but they are delicate and can tear more easily. By contrast, RGP lenses are more durable, but they may not feel as comfortable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of people who wear contact lenses choose the soft version.

Contact lens materials

Manufacturers make contact lenses from different types of materials. For example, they use plastics that allow oxygen to reach the eye and are slightly flexible. These are most common in RGP lenses.

Newer lenses use silicone hydrogels that get wet better to retain comfort. Manufacturers usually use this type of soft plastic in soft lenses.

The table below provides examples of the various lenses available and how they may differ.

Type of lensUsed forWear durationBenefitsConsiderations
RGPmost prescriptionsdailycomfortable

short adaptation period

available in bifocals
frequent wear required to maintain adaptation

may move from the center of the eye

regular office visits required
Extended-wear disposablevariable but may not work for all prescriptionsup to 30 dayslittle to no cleaning

reduced risk of infection

can have spare lenses
potentially less clear sight than with RGP lenses

may not be suitable for all visual conditions

trickier handling
Extended wearvariable but may not work for all prescriptionsup to 30 dayswearable for up to 7 days without removal

some lenses are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for up to 30 days

may not be suitable for all prescriptions

regular office visits required

may increase risk of complications
Planned replacementavailable for purchase on most prescriptionsdailysimple disinfection and cleaning

good for maintaining eye health

variable duration options from biweekly to quarterly
potentially less clear sight than with RGP lenses

may not be suitable for all visual conditions

trickier handling

Without correction, astigmatism can cause blurry or distorted vision at all distances.

Typically, soft contact lenses that may help with astigmatism have two curves instead of one. Experts refer to such lenses as toric soft lenses.

RGP lenses may also help with astigmatism, as they are slightly more rigid and maintain their shape when in place on the cornea. When these types of lenses have two curves, experts refer to them as bitoric RGP lenses.

Medical News Today chooses bifocal contact lenses according to the following criteria where possible:

  • Wear duration: A range of contact lenses suitable for daily, biweekly, and monthly wear.
  • Vision needs: Contact lenses that are also suitable for astigmatism and presbyopia.
  • Moisture content: Contact lenses with varying levels of moisture content to suit a range of requirements.

In the sections below, we list some of the top bifocal contact lenses that people may consider purchasing.

It is important to remember that all contact lenses are only available with a current, valid prescription.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

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Best for moisture retention for longer periods: Biofinity Multifocal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 48%
  • Wear duration: monthly
  • Lenses per box: six

Biofinity Multifocal contact lenses by CooperVision are soft, oxygen permeable lenses. Their Aquaform Technology uses silicone macromers that help lock in water, keeping the lenses moist over long periods.

CooperVision manufacture these lenses using their Balanced Progressive Technology, which provides clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances.

Additionally, this product is also available to purchase online as toric multifocal contact lenses for those with astigmatism and presbyopia.

Best for additional comfort: Proclear Multifocal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 62%
  • Wear duration: monthly
  • Lenses per box: six

These CooperVision multifocal lenses incorporate water molecules into the lenses themselves. This in turn may help prevent dryness and improve comfort.

People can also purchase Proclear Multifocal Toric contact lenses for presbyopia online.

Best for more moisture contact: Bausch + Lomb ULTRA

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 46%
  • Wear duration: monthly
  • Lenses per box: six

These multifocal contact lenses gradually transition between three vision zones, providing clear near, intermediate, and distance vision.

According to the manufacturer, these lenses maintain 95% of their moisture for 16 hours.

These lenses are available for people with presbyopia and astigmatism.

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism contact lenses are also available to purchase online.

Best for monthly lenses for presbyopia: PureVision 2 Multi-Focal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 36%
  • Wear duration: monthly
  • Lenses per box: six

These PureVision 2 Multi-Focal contact lenses by Bausch + Lomb correct presbyopia. Additionally, they provide three zones of vision correction.

Best for biweekly lenses: Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 38%
  • Wear duration: biweekly
  • Lenses per box: six

Acuvue Oasys are soft multifocal contact lenses that correct presbyopia.

These lenses reportedly use technology that helps lock in moisture, preventing the eyes from becoming dry. They also block both UV A and B light.

Best for daily lenses: 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 58%
  • Wear duration: daily
  • Lenses per box: 30

Acuvue offers these daily, disposable multifocal lenses that provide UV protection and lasting moisture thanks to their LACREON technology.

Best for daily lenses with multiple transition zones: clariti 1 day multifocal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 56%
  • Wear duration: daily
  • Lenses per box: 30

These CooperVision daily multifocal contact lenses transition between four different viewing zones — near, intermediate near, intermediate distance, and distance — from the center to the periphery.

They also provide UV protection.

Best for daily lenses with a higher moisture content: DAILIES AquaComfort Plus Multifocal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 69%
  • Wear duration: daily
  • Lenses per box: 30

DAILIES AquaComfort Plus daily contact lenses accommodate multiple vision prescriptions.

They come with blink-activated moisture technology for added comfort.

Best for daily lenses for presbyopia: DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal

  • Type: soft
  • Moisture content: 33%
  • Wear duration: daily
  • Lenses per box: 30

These multifocal lenses by Alcon improve near vision and correct presbyopia.

It is also worth noting that they have a lower moisture content than some other lens options. However, because of the unique technology they use, they get wet better on the surface of the lens.

Some factors to consider when shopping for contact lenses include:

  • Duration of wear: Companies may offer monthly, biweekly, or daily disposable lenses. It is important to only wear the contact lenses for as long as the manufacturer recommends.
  • Moisture content: People with dryer eyes may wish to purchase lenses with higher moisture content.
  • Vision needs: Individuals with astigmatism or presbyopia should only purchase contact lenses suitable for these vision conditions.
  • Subscription options: Some companies may offer a subscription option that reduces the overall cost of contact lenses.

Bifocal contact lenses are available when a healthcare professional prescribes them.

A person interested in transitioning to this type of eyewear should schedule an eye exam with a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist to discuss whether bifocal contact lenses are right for them.

While vision changes are a natural part of aging, the National Eye Institute (NEI) recommends people try the following to protect their vision:

  • wearing sunglasses outdoors, even on cloudy days
  • wearing protective eyewear when playing sports or working with power tools
  • regularly disinfecting and replacing contact lenses

A person can also help prevent eyestrain by taking frequent breaks from electronic screens, such as computer monitors and phones.

The NEI suggests using the 20-20-20 rule, where a person looks away from an electronic screen every 20 minutes and looks at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Here are some common questions and answers regarding bifocal lenses.

What is the difference between multifocal and bifocal contacts?

Bifocal lenses are a type of multifocal contact lenses.

They feature two prescriptions in the same contact lenses. Multifocal lenses are similar to progressive eyeglasses, with different prescriptions for reading, far, and intermediate distances.

How do bifocal contacts stay in place?

Rigid contact lenses have a flatter edge at the bottom of the lens that helps them stay in place.

Soft contact lenses move around the eye as a person looks in different directions.

An eye doctor will advise which type of contact lenses are best for individuals.

How much do bifocal contacts cost?

The cost of bifocal contact lenses depends on whether a person has insurance. However, they are often more expensive than single prescription contacts.

Without insurance, bifocal contact lenses may cost up to $1,500 per year.

Bifocal contact lenses correct near and distance vision problems in a single lens. These lenses correct near, intermediate, and distance vision.

Bifocal and multifocal contact lenses also offer effective and convenient vision correction for individuals with presbyopia.

If someone is looking into trying bifocal or multifocal contact lenses, they should seek guidance from an eye doctor before changing the type of eyewear they use.