International trends in prescribing multifocal and monovision soft contact lenses to correct presbyopia (2000–2023): An update

Numerous multifocal soft contact lenses have been introduced into clinical practice over the past half century. The purpose of this work is to update earlier surveys by describing international trends in multifocal and monovision soft lens fitting for presbyopia between 2000–2023, inclusive. An annual contact lens prescribing survey was sent to eye care practitioners in up to 71 countries between 2000–2023. Data relating to 52,580 soft daily wear lens fits to presbyopes (those ≥45 years of age) undertaken in 20 countries returning reliable longitudinal data were analysed in respect of multifocal and monovision soft daily wear lens fits. Overall, multifocal and monovision soft daily wear lens prescribing to presbyopes has more than doubled over the course of this survey, from 26.4 % of standard soft daily wear lens fits in 2000 to 61.1 % in 2023 (p