Multifocal contact lenses have definitely come of age with most modalities and materials now available in varifocal designs.
Skilled fitting of multifocal CLs is essential and discussions are no longer about if they work, more about how they work, the comfort of the lens and lifestyle needs. My fit of Total 1 Multifocal was by Kieran Minshull of LK Leon Opticians in London. After a discussion on lifestyle and use he suggested priority should be given to near vision with the option of a more distance-biased fit for days out of office and weekends. The initial fit, with lenses matching my distance prescription, was made and then the reading plus enhanced. The effect being checked using a 0.25D and 0.5D flipper and a real life visual check to gauge the effect.
The lenses were then replaced to reflect this reduction in the distance vision power by 0.5D. This provided seamless vision at all distances for an office work situation or reading a newspaper on a dimly-lit commuter train.
Distance vision was also generally good but for tasks such as driving or cycling at night the less near vision option was more suitable.
Total 1 is a very comfortable lens and the multifocal version of it is no different. On the eye it is hardly perceptible and remains so through a long day. It handles well, the only downside being that the lens is so slippery it can be tricky to take out – dry fingers solve this. This is a contact lens presbyopes would welcome and find easy to wear.