Best Contact Lenses for Over-40s: Multifocal & Monovision Explained

Why contacts get harder after 40

If you already wear contact lenses for distance, presbyopia creates a new problem: your near vision deteriorates while your distance vision stays roughly the same. Standard single-vision contacts won't help you read a menu. You need a lens that corrects both.

Multifocal contact lenses

Multifocal lenses work like progressive glasses: the centre of the lens corrects near vision, the mid-zone handles intermediate distances (computer screens), and the outer ring focuses at distance. Your brain learns to pick the right zone automatically.

Popular brands include Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia, Dailies Total 1 Multifocal, and Biofinity Multifocal. Most people adapt within a week or two, though some notice halos around lights at night during the adjustment period.

Monovision: one eye for near, one for far

Monovision sounds odd but works well for many people. Your dominant eye is fitted with a distance lens; your non-dominant eye gets a near lens. Your brain merges the images. It's cheaper than multifocals and often more comfortable, but some people lose depth perception — not ideal if you play golf or tennis.

Daily disposables vs monthly replacements

Daily disposables (thrown away each night) are the healthiest option: no cleaning, no protein buildup, lowest infection risk. They're also the most expensive, at roughly £40–£70 per month. Monthly lenses cost less per day but require daily cleaning and a rigid replacement schedule.

If you only need near help occasionally — say, for evening reading — some people use a single near-vision contact in one eye and leave the other bare. It's not standard practice, but an optometrist can advise whether it's safe for your prescription.