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Presbyopia in 2026: What Multifocal Contact Lenses Can Do, and What's Coming Next

29th Oct 2026

If you've started holding your phone at arm's length, bumping up the font size on every screen, or zooming into photos just to see the detail, you're in very large company.

A February 2025 survey of Australians aged 40-55, conducted by Edelman Data & Intelligence for ACUVUE, found a striking gap between awareness and action. About 68% said they were aware of presbyopia, yet about 90% reported experiencing its symptoms. Among people with presbyopia, 47% hadn't yet taken steps to correct it. Common workarounds included enlarging text on screens (46%), pinching to zoom on phone photos (38%) and stretching their arms out to read (32%).

Those workarounds are really signs that your eyes could use some support. This guide explains what presbyopia is, how multifocal contact lenses work, what to realistically expect, and what's being developed for the future.

What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the normal, age-related reduction in the eye's ability to change focus. It becomes a problem when, even with your distance vision fully corrected, close-up vision isn't clear enough for what you need to do. It affects around two billion people worldwide, and for most people it becomes noticeable in their 40s.

It isn't a disease, and it isn't caused by "overusing" your eyes or screens. The lens inside the eye gradually loses its flexibility, making it harder to shift from far to near. Typical signs include:

Needing to hold reading material further away
Eye strain or headaches after close work
Trouble reading in dim light
Small print (menus, labels, medication boxes) becoming a struggle

Presbyopia can occur alongside short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism, which is why a proper eye exam matters. Optometrists rely on a thorough evaluation to exclude other causes and to understand your day-to-day visual needs.

How multifocal contact lenses work

Most soft multifocal contact lenses use what's known as a simultaneous-image design. The lens has more than one power across its surface, so light from different distances reaches the retina at the same time. Your brain then learns to favour the image that's relevant to what you're looking at, a process based on how the visual system interprets and tolerates blur.

Because every eye is different, fit and comfort depend on factors such as pupil size, the eye's natural optical imperfections, how your focusing ability has changed and how well the lens sits on your eye. That's why multifocal lenses are fitted rather than simply picked off the shelf.

What's new? Designs, materials and fitting tools continue to evolve. For example, in 2026 a daily disposable silicone hydrogel multifocal using a progressive-style optical design was launched in Australia and New Zealand. Manufacturers are also putting more emphasis on streamlined fitting guides, so more people with presbyopia can be successfully fitted. As a consumer, it's worth asking your optometrist what's currently available for your prescription.

What to expect when you try multifocals

There's usually an adjustment period. Your brain needs time to adapt to a lens with multiple powers.
There can be trade-offs. Some wearers notice slightly less sharpness than they had with single-vision lenses, or differences in low light. Some presbyopes stop wearing contact lenses because of limitations in visual quality or comfort, but a careful pre-fitting assessment and the right lens choice can often overcome this.
Trials and fine-tuning are normal. Your optometrist may adjust the lens power or switch designs after a trial. That's part of the process, not a sign something has gone wrong.
Follow-up matters. Regular aftercare keeps your eyes healthy and your prescription up to date.

Daily, fortnightly or monthly multifocals?

Multifocal lenses come in the same replacement schedules as other soft lenses:

Daily multifocal lensesA fresh pair each day, with no cleaning or storage required. Handy for occasional wear, travel, or if you want the simplest routine.
Fortnightly multifocal lensesReplace every two weeks, with a daily cleaning routine.
Monthly multifocal lensesReplaced monthly, also with a daily cleaning routine.

Not sure which replacement schedule suits you? Our guide to fortnightly vs monthly contact lenses explains the differences. The right choice depends on your prescription, comfort, lifestyle and your optometrist's advice, and not every design is available in every schedule or prescription range.

You can browse the full multifocal contact lens range once you have your prescription.

Multifocals, monovision or reading glasses over contacts?

Multifocal lenses aren't the only way to wear contact lenses with presbyopia:

Multifocal contact lenses give you a range of vision from a single pair of lenses.
Monovision sets one eye mainly for distance and the other mainly for near. Some people adapt well; others find it uncomfortable, particularly for depth perception.
Single-vision contacts plus reading glasses keeps distance vision crisp and uses readers when needed. It's simple, but means carrying glasses with you.

Your optometrist can test these approaches with you, often using trial lenses, to see which suits your eyes and your lifestyle.

Who might suit multifocal contact lenses?

Multifocals may appeal if you:

Spend long days switching between screens, paperwork and people
Want to keep wearing contact lenses as you reach your 40s and beyond
Play sport or work in settings where glasses are impractical
Simply prefer the look and feel of life without frames. In the 2025 survey, 71% of people using or considering contact lenses for presbyopia said they felt more self-confident in contacts than in glasses

They may be less suitable if you have certain eye conditions, severe dry eye, or visual demands that are hard to meet with a simultaneous-image design. That's something only a proper assessment can determine.

Getting set up in Australia

  • You need a valid prescription. In Australia, prescription contact lenses are classed as medical devices by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Book a contact lens fitting. Multifocal lenses need to be assessed and fitted by a registered optometrist, who will specify the lens type, power and fit. Learn more in our guide to your first contact lens fitting in Australia.
  • Check your health fund. Many private health extras policies provide benefits towards contact lenses, depending on your fund and level of cover. See our health funds page for details.
  • Keep up your check-ups. Your prescription and eye health can change over time, and Optometry Australia stresses ongoing care from a registered optometrist for contact lens wearers.

What's next for presbyopia?

Contact lenses aren't the only area of progress. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are also working on eye drops designed to temporarily improve near vision, typically by narrowing the pupil to increase the eye's depth of focus.

In Australia, none of these has been confirmed as available at the time of writing. In mid-2026, companies announced they had lodged a TGA application for one low-dose presbyopia drop, and signed an agreement to seek registration of another. Both would need TGA approval, and any such drops would be prescription-only.

Some points to keep in mind:

  • Reported side effects in overseas trials of this type of drop have included headache and eye redness, and some people notice dimmer vision in low light.
  • Whether these drops suit you, including for night driving, would be a conversation to have with your optometrist or eye doctor, and they wouldn't replace a comprehensive eye exam.
  • The regulatory picture may have changed since this article was written. The TGA's website is the best place to check what's approved.

For now, a well-fitted pair of multifocal contact lenses remains one of the most established ways to see near and far without glasses.

When to see an eye care professional

Book an eye exam if you're noticing changes in your near vision, even if the workarounds seem to be coping. Seek prompt professional advice if you experience:

  • Sudden changes in vision or a sudden loss of vision
  • New flashes of light or a shower of floaters
  • Eye pain, significant redness, light sensitivity or discharge. If you wear contact lenses, take them out and don't put them back in until you've been assessed
  • Persistent headaches linked to close work

These aren't "just presbyopia" and shouldn't wait.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to give up contact lenses once I need reading help?

No. Multifocal contact lenses, monovision and single-vision lenses with reading glasses are all options your optometrist can discuss.

Will multifocal contact lenses be as sharp as my old single-vision lenses?

Experiences vary. Some people notice little difference, while others notice trade-offs in sharpness or low light. A trial helps you judge for yourself.

Can I use my glasses prescription to buy multifocal contact lenses?

No. A contact lens prescription is different from a glasses prescription and includes details about the lens type and fit, which is why a fitting is needed.

What if I have astigmatism as well?

Multifocal designs are available for some prescriptions with astigmatism. Ask your optometrist what's suitable for you.

Will eye drops replace reading glasses and contacts?

Not yet in Australia, and they may not suit everyone. They are also likely to be one option among several. Talk to your optometrist about what's right for you.

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a registered optometrist or doctor about your eyes. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

References

Edelman Data & Intelligence for ACUVUE (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care). Survey of 2,500 adults aged 40-55 across Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan (500 per market). February 2025.

BioSpectrum Asia. Orasis submits Australia application for presbyopia eye drop. 16 July 2026. https://biospectrumasia.com/news/33/28040/orasis-submits-australia-application-for-presbyopia-eye-drop.html

CooperVision launches Clariti 1 Day multifocal in Australia and New Zealand. NZ Optics, 2026. https://nzoptics.co.nz/live-articles/coopervision-expands-multifocal-range/

Morgan PB, Efron N, Markoulli M, et al., “BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia: Management with contact lenses and spectacles,” Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2024;47 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2024.102158

Ophthalmology Times Europe. Eye drops for treatment of presbyopia approved by US FDA. https://europe.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/eye-drops-for-treatment-of-presbyopia-approved-by-us-fda

Optometry Australia. Submission to the TGA consultation on changes to definitions and the scope of the medical device regulatory framework. https://tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/submission-consultation-changes-definitions-scope-md-framework-oa.pdf

Optometry Australia. Warning to consumers about buying contact lenses online without prescription validation. https://www.optometry.org.au/?p=17240

Optometry Times. Presbyopia eye drop expands to Australia, New Zealand. 9 July 2026. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/vizz-presbyopia-eye-drop-expands-australia-new-zealand

Pérez-Prados R, Piñero DP, Pérez Cambrodí RJ, Madrid-Costa D. Soft multifocal simultaneous image contact lenses: a review. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. https://rua.ua.es/dspace/handle/10045/66501

Wolffsohn JS, Naroo SA, Morgan PB, et al. BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia: Definitions. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2024;47(4):102155. https://mivision.com.au/2024/12/new-bcla-clear-series-on-presbyopia/

Wolffsohn JS, et al. BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia: Evaluation and diagnosis. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2024.102156