Visual performance of a multifocal toric soft contact lens

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual performance of the Proclear multifocal toric contact lens (CL; CooperVision, US) for both presbyopia and astigmatism correction. METHODS: In this crossover study design, 20 presbyopic subjects with astigmatism were fitted in a random order with either Proclear multifocal toric CL or Proclear toric single vision distance CL (DCL) combined with reading spectacles. After 1 month, high-contrast distance visual acuity, near high-contrast visual acuity, distance contrast sensitivity (CS) under photopic and mesopic conditions without and with glare, near CS, defocus curve, and stereopsis were measured. Subjects were then refitted with the alternative correction, and the procedure was repeated. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed differences in visual acuity and CS (p < 0.001) between groups. Mean binocular distance visual acuity and near visual acuity obtained with multifocal toric CL were -0.01 ± 0.03 logMAR and -0.04 ± 0.06 logMAR, respectively. The mean distance CS with the multifocal toric CL was within normal limits under photopic and mesopic conditions. Under photopic conditions, distant CS was better with distance CL than with multifocal toric CL only at 18 cycles/degree. Under mesopic conditions without and with glare, there were differences between both CLs in distant CS for all spatial frequencies. There were differences between the two CLs in near CS for all spatial frequencies. Mean values of stereopsis obtained with multifocal toric CLs and with the DCL combined with reading glasses were 62 ± 12 sec of arc and 59 ± 12 sec of arc, respectively (p = 0.06). Near range of clear vision with the multifocal toric CLs was 1.55 ± 0.33D. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the multifocal toric CL studied is a good option to compensate both presbyopia and astigmatism, providing an optimal distance and near visual quality without compromising the stereopsis. Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Optometry.