Episode nine of Johnson & Johnson’s 10-part video series, which discusses how to define success and manage patient expectations when fitting multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCLs), is available now.
With a light-hearted yet insightful approach, in ‘Word from the street: Multifocal myths explored’, Adam Samuels and Kerry Ho – optometrists and professional education consultants at Johnson & Johnson – challenge thinking around MFSCL fitting and long-term patient care, offering clinical insights with practical tips and ready-to-use resources.
Defining MFSCL Fitting Success
Many clinicians worry that patients expect contact-lens vision to match spectacles. In this video – It’s hard to manage patient expectations with multifocal contact lenses – Mr Ho and Mr Samuels discuss how successful vision correction is defined.
“I think it kind of comes down to holistic care,” said Mr Ho. “We just need to practise more” he added. Mr Samuels concurred. “’For once, we’re not talking about optimising visual acuity, we’re talking about functional vision.”
Key Takeaways
- Redefine how you measure success. MFSCL fitting might be less about maximising letter-by-letter visual acuity on the Snellen chart and more about delivering functional vision for daily life outside of the testing room.
- Remember what matters to patients: reading a menu at a café, driving comfortably, playing with grandchildren, or spotting small objects on the floor. When you frame the outcome in terms of these activities rather than 6/6 on the chart, patients are often willing to accept small trade-offs in clarity for greater independence, comfort and convenience.
- Managing expectations is straightforward when you adopt a functional, patient‑centred approach. With a few simple questions and a trial, you can increase multifocal uptake and satisfaction.
Practical Tips for Practice
- Start with priorities: ask which tasks (distance, intermediate, near) matter most.
- Use plain language: explain trade‑offs in daily scenarios rather than chart numbers.
- Trial and demonstrate: trial lenses and real‑world tasks make expectations tangible.
- Set a clear follow‑up: arrange a short reassessment to refine the fit based on the patient’s reported function.
- Practice the conversation: confidence in counselling reduces chair time and improves acceptance.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Managing expectations for MFSCLs requires shifting from a chart-centric mindset to a functional, patient-centred conversation. With a simple structured approach, consistent messaging, and a short trial, clinicians can set realistic expectations, improve satisfaction, and reliably offer MFSCLs as a strong option for many presbyopes.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for health care professionals only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual/s based on their personal experience. The clinical advice contained in this video is not a substitute for proper medical education and training or the exercise of independent health care professional judgement. Each situation should be considered unique to each patient, and all treatments should be individualised accordingly based on the respective health care professional’s judgement.
