Air Optix Aqua Multifocal

Air Optix Aqua Multifocal: we got our kit last week, one of the 1st Houston-area practices to receive the kit. As is my usual with the 2000's-era Ciba products, I'm not fond of the name. I mean I understand the marketing of "branding" & creating a unique name, but "Air Optix Aqua Multifocal" is too long. That being said, this is a good product (as were the sphere & toric versions before it). Excellent material for comfort & extended-wear safety, and Ciba really hit a home run with the initial parameter release & kit availability. It gets tedious for us docs when new products are only initially available in limited near-sighted Rx's (no farsighted, and no "high minus"), but Ciba gave us all 3 add powers as well as plus powers & high minus all at one time. BRAVO, CIBA! This marketing strategy is MUCH APPRECIATED!

Now a little about the lens: Air Optix Aqua Multifocal is a silicone hydrogel center-near annular design with 3 add powers (low, med, high) intended for daily wear monthly disposable or up to 6 nights of extended wear (sleeping in your lenses). Its got the same moisturizing component as the Air Optix Aqua spherical lens, and it really works well for maximizing comfort. How it compares to other multifocals on the market as far as vision is concerned is still up for debate. In theory it should be as good or better than other similar annular designs (Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia, Proclear Multifocal, etc). We'll see!