Editor’s Note: All product prices mentioned in this article were from our research conducted in March 2023.
DAILIES TOTAL1® Multifocal by Alcon is a leading contact lens brand designed to address presbyopia — the age-related loss of near vision.
The first and only daily contact lenses for presbyopia to have Water Gradient Technology, DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal offers a high level of initial and overall comfort. This lens also features Precision Profile® Design to ensure seamless vision at all distances.
Unfortunately, those groundbreaking features come at a high price — $100-$150 per box of 90 lenses (3-month supply), to be exact. If you regularly wear contact lenses, you’d be looking at an annual lens cost of $400-$600!
If you enjoy the convenience and benefits of this multifocal contact lens but don’t like its high cost, don’t worry. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives to DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal, and we’ve rounded them up in this post for your convenience.
What Are Multifocal Contact Lenses?
Multifocal contact lenses are contacts with multiple prescriptions in one lens to target vision at varying distances from the wearer. This setup helps people with presbyopia — the age-related loss of near vision — see clearly at any distance.
Age is the greatest risk factor for presbyopia, which is why everyone experiences some degree of presbyopia after age 40. However, being farsighted or having certain health conditions, including diabetes and multiple sclerosis, can increase your risk of premature presbyopia (when the symptoms of presbyopia occur earlier than usual). Certain drugs, such as antidepressants and antihistamines, are also associated with premature presbyopia.
Types of Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal contact lenses come in both soft and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) materials, but soft multifocal contact lenses are more popular among wearers because of the high level of initial comfort they provide.
Multifocal contact lenses come in one of two designs:
- Simultaneous – In this design, different zones of the lens are allocated for far, near, and (occasionally) intermediate vision. Depending on the object being viewed, the wearer determines which region(s) of the lens provide the sharpest vision.
- Segmented – This design features separate zones for distance and near vision, which are separated by a visible line. The distance zone is usually located in the upper and central zones of the lens, while the near zone is in the lower half.
Advantages of Multifocal Contact Lenses
People with presbyopia who only wear bifocals or reading glasses may want to switch to multifocal contact lenses for the following reasons:
- Multifocal contact lenses offer better visual acuity at any distance
- With multifocal contact lenses, there is a less abrupt switch between the different zones of the lens
- Multifocal contact lenses are more convenient than readers
- Multifocal contact lenses move with the eye, allowing a natural field of view
Who Can Wear Multifocal Contact Lenses?
Good candidates for multifocal contact lenses include the following:
- People with presbyopia who only wear reading glasses,
- Those who wear contact lenses but need to wear reading glasses over them, or
- Those who wear monovision glasses or contact lenses (glasses or contact lenses where one lens is prescribed to see better at a distance while the other is prescribed to see better close-up).
Best Alternatives to DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal
To help you decide which brand is right for you, we reviewed several multifocal contact lenses currently available on Lens.com. Here are our top picks for the best alternatives to DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal:
1. ACUVUE® OASYS for PRESBYOPIA
ACUVUE OASYS for PRESBYOPIA by Johnson & Johnson provides clear vision at any distance and superior, all-day comfort.
And at only $40-$50 per box of 6 lenses, ACUVUE OASYS for PRESBYOPIA is one of this list’s cheapest multifocal contact lens brands!
- Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 38%
- Special Features: STEREO PRECISION TECHNOLOGY™, HYDRACLEAR® PLUS
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
2. SofLens® Multi-Focal
SofLens Multi-Focal contact lenses provide a broad transition for near, intermediate, and far vision.
A 6-pack box of SofLens Multi-Focal can cost anywhere from $45-$80, depending on where you purchase it — still a considerably cheaper option than DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal!
- Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 38%
- Special Features: Natra-Sight™ Optics
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
3. ACUVUE® OASYS MULTIFOCAL
Featuring a combination of eye-inspired technologies, ACUVUE OASYS MULTIFOCAL contact lenses deliver enhanced performance and comfort, regardless of age or refractive error.
You can purchase a 6-pack box of ACUVUE OASYS MULTIFOCAL for $30-$75.
- Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 38%
- Special Features: PUPIL OPTIMIZED DESIGN, HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology, Hybrid Back Curve Technology
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
4. 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST MULTIFOCAL
Equipped with exclusive LACREON® Technology, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST MULTIFOCAL stay hydrated all day for a comfortable wearing experience.
The price of 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST MULTIFOCAL starts at $70 per box of 90 lenses.
- Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 58%
- Special Features: LACREON Technology
- Lenses Per Box: 90 (3-month supply)
5. Proclear® 1 Day Multifocal
Whether you’re reading a book or working on your computer, Proclear 1 Day Multifocal provides excellent visual acuity at all distances, near through far. And since it’s a daily replacement lens, you wear a fresh pair every day.
You can get a 90-pack box of Proclear 1 Day Multifocal for as low as $80 from some retailers.
- Manufacturer: CooperVision
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 60%
- Special Features: PC Technology™
- Lenses Per Box: 90 (3-month supply)
Getting Fitted for Multifocal Contact Lenses
Thanks to new contact lens manufacturing technologies, most new-generation multifocal contact lenses require only a spherical equivalent and an ADD power (additional magnifying power) to get you fitted for multifocal contact lenses.
Generally speaking, the higher the ADD power, the more difficult it is to adapt to multifocal contact lenses.
Other factors that your eye doctor may consider when determining your eligibility for multifocal contact lenses include your age, overall eye health, and the type and severity of any other vision problems you may have, such as astigmatism or nearsightedness.
You are most likely to be successfully fitted with multifocal contact lenses if:
- You have previous experience wearing contact lenses
- You are a “highly motivated” candidate, i.e., you are frustrated with bifocals or reading glasses
- You have moderate to high levels of presbyopia
You may need a second or third visit to your eye doctor to be successfully fitted with multifocal lenses. Additional visits are sometimes required to get the best possible vision correction.
Moreover, it’s normal to take several weeks to adapt to multifocal contact lenses, especially if you’ve never worn contacts before. Regular use is key for comfort. If multifocal contact lenses do not meet your vision needs entirely, you may need to wear reading glasses occasionally.
Caring for Multifocal Contact Lenses
It’s important to take good care of your multifocal contact lenses, whether you have daily, bi-weekly, or monthly replacement ones. If you clean them every day, you can avoid contact lens-related complications, such as corneal abrasion (a scratch or scrape on the cornea), contact lens-induced acute red eye (red, irritated eyes), and giant papillary conjunctivitis (bumps that appear underneath the eyelid).
What to Do
- Wash and dry your hands before touching your eyes or handling your contacts.
- Unless instructed otherwise by your eye doctor, remove your contacts before bed.
- Makeup, soaps, creams, and similar products can irritate your eyes, so use them carefully.
- Always put your contact lenses in before applying makeup, and remove them before taking your makeup off.
- Remove your contacts before taking a shower or going swimming.
- See your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years. If you are over 65, have a family history of eye disease, or take medications that may have eye-related side effects, you may need to get an eye exam every year.
What Not to Do
- Do not sleep in daily disposable multifocal contact lenses.
- Do not swim, take a shower, or take a bath while wearing multifocal contact lenses.
- Do not overwear your contact lenses.
- Do not share your contact lenses with other people.
Wrapping Up
DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal is a popular choice among lens wearers with presbyopia, but this brand can cost you a lot of money if you regularly wear contact lenses. The good news is plenty of cheaper multifocal contact lens brands offer the same (if not more) benefits as DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal.
Remember that only a licensed eye care professional can determine the right multifocal contact lens for you, but it helps to keep yourself informed of your options. If cost is a concern, don’t be afraid to bring up any multifocal contact lens brands mentioned above when discussing options with your eye doctor.
Lens.com carries all of the multifocal contact lens brands mentioned in this article. Take advantage of our discount prices when shopping Lens.com!
