A Clinical Comparison of Two Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses

The aim of this subject-masked, non-randomized, non-dispensing study was to evaluate the short-term clinical performance of a soft multifocal hydrogel contact lens when compared to a soft silicone multifocal hydrogel lens after 15 minutes of daily wear each.

Inclusion criteria

• They were at least 42 years of age and had capacity to volunteer.
• They understood their rights as a research subject and were willing and able to sign a Statement of Informed Consent.
• They had had a full eye examination within the past two years (by self-report).
• They were willing and able to follow the protocol.
• They habitually used vision correction for near vision (multifocal soft contact lenses, sphere lenses for monovision, sphere lenses for distance vision correction and spectacles for near vision correction, or had a different spectacle prescription for distance and near vision correction) and had done so for at least the past three months.
• They had refractive astigmatism of no greater than -0.75DC.
• They could be fitted with the study lenses within the power range available, and achieved binocular distance HCVA of +0.20 or better in the study lenses.

Exclusion criteria

Subjects were not eligible to take part in the study if:

• They had an ocular disorder which would normally contra-indicate contact lens wear.
• They had a systemic disorder which would normally contra-indicate contact lens wear.
• They were using any topical medication such as eye drops or ointment.
• They were aphakic.
• They had had corneal refractive surgery.
• They had any corneal distortion resulting from previous hard or rigid lens wear or had keratoconus.
• They were pregnant or lactating.
• They had an eye or health condition including an immunosuppressive or infectious disease which could, in the opinion of the investigator, contraindicate contact lens wear or pose a risk to study personnel; or a history of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction.