CATARACT SURGERY
Presbyopia Today: How Patient Expectations Are Shaping the Future of Multifocal Fitting
# minutes read
Dr. Susan Resnick, OD, FAAO (Dip), FSLS, of Drs. Farkas, Kassalow, Resnick & Associates in New York City, and Dr. Pamela Lowe, OD, FAAO, ABO (Dip), of Professional Eye Care Center in Niles, Illinois, are nationally recognized optometrists known for their expertise in contact lens fitting, patient education, and professional education. Both have worked extensively with multifocal lenses and understand the evolving needs of today’s digitally connected, presbyopic patients. In a recent conversation with Alcon’s Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, they explored what’s driving clinical success with multifocal fittings, and the strategies helping ECPs meet modern patient expectations with clarity and confidence.
Susan Resnick*, OD, FAAO (Dip), FSLS
Drs. Farkas, Kassalow, Resnick & Associates
Pamela Lowe*, OD, FAAO, ABO (Dipl)
Professional Eye Care Center
Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO
Alcon Head, Global and US Professional Education and Development
Meet Patients Where They Are Today
Presbyopia doesn’t look like it used to. Today, patients are more digitally engaged, more vocal about their vision challenges, and often unaware that their symptoms point to an age-related condition.
“On average, people now spend 44% of waking hours looking at screens1,2, blinking less3-6, and struggling to refocus—but they don’t say, ‘I have presbyopia.’ They say, ‘My eyes are tired,’ or ‘I can’t read my phone.’” – Dr. Resnick
To explore how these evolving patient needs are impacting multifocal contact lens fitting, Dr. Mack, Alcon’s Global and U.S. Head of Professional Education, sat down with Dr. Resnick and Dr. Lowe. Together, they shared insights on fitting strategies, new technology, and what’s helping ECPs achieve success in today’s clinics.
How Are Presbyopic Patients Different Now Than 10 Years Ago
"Screen-heavy lifestyles are reshaping how presbyopia presents—and what ECPs need to look for,” said Dr. Resnick. “Today’s patients don’t come in saying they have presbyopia,” she noted. “They describe tired eyes and dryness. They speak of holding their phones farther away and eventually increasing font sizes, but they rarely connect these symptoms to presbyopia.” Dr. Lowe added that, when it comes time to address these patients’ needs, confidence with multifocal fitting can vary widely across the profession. “While some ECPs are confident, others—especially those newer to practice—may be less familiar. Tools like Alcon’s FitGuide (for DAILIES TOTAL1® Multifocal or TOTAL30® Multifocal) and FittingHub offer simple, repeatable guidance that streamlines the process and shortens the learning curve,” she said.
How Important is Multifocal Education
Education plays a critical role in building confidence with multifocal fittings, especially when it’s hands-on. “As part of the faculty who facilitates Alcon’s in-office Multifocal Masterclass, I help my peers refine their Multifocal fitting techniques in their own practice with their own patients,” said Dr. Resnick. “This in-person guidance with real-time feedback makes it easier to apply learnings in the practice with great results.” Dr. Lowe agreed, highlighting the value of peer-driven learning.
“The Alcon Experience Academy goes even further—combining clinical content, fitting tools, and a community of ECPs who are committed to raising the standard of care. That kind of support isn’t something you get from product manuals. It’s real-world learning designed to make an impact.”– Dr. Lowe
Research Highlights
Research continues to support what many eye care professionals are seeing firsthand— patients are finding renewed success with today’s multifocal lenses. “Comfort and visual performance have advanced to a point where even patients who once gave up on contact lenses are finding success,” said Dr. Mack. “In a 2024 study led by Dr. Christopher Olson and Dr. Jennifer Fogt, patients who had previously discontinued lens wear showed excellent comfort, vision quality, and overall satisfaction with DAILIES TOTAL1® Multifocal lenses7. It’s consistent with what we’re hearing from ECPs using Alcon’s Water Gradient technology in practice.”
Innovation in Fit Success
What’s making a difference in fitting success today? Dr. Resnick pointed to consistent design and advanced comfort technologies.
“Having the latest multifocal technology—like the WaterInnovations™ portfolio with DAILIES TOTAL1® and TOTAL30®—means we can offer a consistent Precision Profile® Lens Design across platforms. That consistency gives ECPs confidence and helps simplify the fitting process8-9**” – Dr. Resnick
“Add in Water Gradient Technology, and the result is lenses that deliver all-day comfort10-13—even for digitally strained eyes. One of my patients told me, ‘These lenses are so comfortable, I forgot I had them on until bedtime.13,14 That’s the kind of moment that reminds us how impactful these advancements really are.”
The Bottom Line For ECPs
Despite more than 215 million emerging and established presbyopes,15 multifocal contact lens wear remains low. But innovation in the category and enhanced training has the potential to change that. With consistent lens design, proven comfort innovations, and education tailored to every stage of experience, ECPs have more tools than ever to help patients succeed—and to feel confident with every fit.
Explore tools and technologies that simplify multifocal success
To explore fitting tools, peer-led education, and clinical resources, visit MyAlcon.com.
*Paid Alcon Consultant
**With two lenses or less, at the initial fitting visit.
References
1. Howarth J. Alarming average screen time statistics (2024). Exploding Topics. Published December 4, 2023. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-stats.
2. Kemp S. DataReportal, Digital 2024: Global Overview Report. Meltwater, We are social. Published online January 2024 Accessed May 29, 2024. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024global-overview-report.
3. Dumbleton K, Caffery B, Dogru M, et al. The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: report of the subcommittee on epidemiology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54(11):TFOS20-TFOS36.
4. Tsubota K, Nakamori K. Dry eyes and video display terminals. N Engl J Med. 1993;328(8):584.
5. Patel S, Henderson R, Bradley L, Galloway B, Hunter L. Effect of visual display unit use on blink rate and tear stability. Optom Vis Sci.1991;68(11):888-892.
6. Hall L, Coles-Brennan C. Digital eye strain: more screen time = more digital eye strain. Contact Lens Spectrum. 2015;30:38-40.
7. Alcon data on file, 2024; REF-27055
8. Bauman E, Lemp J, Kern J. Material effect on multifocal contact lens fitting of lenses of the same optical design with the same fitting guide. Poster presented at the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) Clinical Conference and Exhibition, June 9- 11, 2017. Liverpool, UK.
9. Merchea M, Evans D, Kannarr S, et al. Assessing a modified fitting approach for improved multifocal contact lens fitting success. Presented at the American Optometric Association Annual Meeting, June 21-25, 2018. Denver, CO
10. Merchea M, Evans D, Kannarr S, et al. Patient and ECP Satisfaction in the United States with a Novel Water Gradient Daily Disposable Multifocal Contact Lens. Presented at the American Optometric Association Annual Meeting, June 20-24, 2018. Denver, CO.
11. Alcon data on file, 2017.
12. Alcon data on file, 2013.
13. In a clinical study wherein patients used CLEAR CARE solution for nightly cleaning, disinfecting, and storing; Alcon data on file, 2021.
14. Dailies Total1 Monadic Claim Trial support. Alcon Data on file, 2024. Study Number: CLU484-P003
15. US Census Bureau, Population Division. 2017 National Population Projections Tables: Detailed age and sex composition of the population, 2017-2060. Available at: https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2017/demo/popproj/2017-summary-tables.html. Accessed November 25, 2024.
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