Lined multifocal wearers prefer progressive addition lenses.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite reported successes with progressive addition lenses, lined multifocals remain the lens of choice for previous lined multifocal wearers. METHODS: To explore the feasibility of switching lined multifocal wearers to PALs, in a prospective clinical trial we interviewed 265 lined multifocal wearers, prescribed a new PAL (Varilux Comfort) and then interviewed them again to compare the lens types and patient preferences. RESULTS: PALs ranked significantly higher than lined multifocals for all questions and were preferred by 92 percent of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: PALs should be the lens of choice for previous bifocal wearers.