“Multifocal rigid gas permeable contact lenses don’t exist.”
A Case That Debunks a Myth – and Makes Visual Potential Visible
A technically rather unspectacular fitting case that nevertheless clearly demonstrates what happens when contact lenses are not treated as an exception, but as a natural option.
By Nancy Horn, Center for Optometry Magdeburg
“Multifocal rigid gas permeable contact lenses don’t exist.” – That is what a now 60‑year‑old patient was told five years ago by her former optician. Through the digital visibility of the Center for Optometry Magdeburg, she eventually became aware of Nancy Horn and her team – and of a solution that had previously been denied to her.
The Initial Situation
For a long period of time, the patient was clearly undercorrected (with a new pair of glasses). Although she felt that her vision was not right, she accepted the correction, trusting the previous statement that everything was “fine.”
- Age: 60 years, professionally active
- Refraction: myopia approx. –5.50 D
- Visual demands: high, stable vision required for daily life
- Contact lens experience: many years of rigid lenses, very well tolerated
- Tear film: unremarkable to slightly reduced
- Expectations: realistic
“They do exist.” – The Fitting
As part of a holistic consultation, contact lenses were naturally addressed. Nancy Horn clearly classified the situation: Multifocal rigid contact lenses are not a special solution – they may be somewhat more challenging to fit, but they offer the wearer a high potential for quality of life. For us, this type of fitting is routine care in our institute.
Implementation
- Bilateral fitting with i‑Map AS Multi CD VP
- Material: Optimum Comfort
- Power: –5.125 D Add +2.50
- nearly perfect first lens
- only a minor adjustment on the left side required for central positioning
- Visual acuity: distance 1.0 | near 1.0
- no relevant adaptation phase – despite several years without lens wear
Slit lamp image OS
First lens
final lens
The result – a happy contact lens wearer again
Today, the patient mainly wears her iMap AS Multis. Her progressive glasses are deliberately worn in the evening and on weekends.
- optimal daily wearing time: 8–9 hours
- conscious removal in the evening
- artificial tears as needed
“I know I no longer wear the lenses for 14 hours like I did at 25 – but 8 or 9 hours are completely sufficient for me.” With this, the patient shows a realistic expectation of her rigid visual aids.
For Nancy Horn, this is exactly the benchmark of a successful fitting: A contact lens fitting is successful when it works reliably and suits the life of the wearer.
Conclusion
This case shows: The significant impact for this patient did not have a complex starting point. A competent fitter, realistic expectations on the patient’s side, and a manufacturer delivering the appropriate solution turned a supposed “not possible” into a functioning, beneficial solution – for both the lens wearer and the fitting institute.
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The nuggets – from the conversation with Nancy Horn
Nancy Horn
Nancy Horn is part of the team at the Center for Optometry and Ophthalmic Optics, which operates according to the high standards of the RAL quality mark for optometric services.
Her professional focus lies in precise refraction, individualized contact lens fitting, and well-founded progressive lens consultation.
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1. Many patients accept insufficient visual quality
“People unfortunately quickly accept statements like ‘That’s not possible’ – often without knowing their actual visual potential.”
2. Multifocal rigid contact lenses are demanding – but not a niche solution
“A well-fitted multifocal rigid contact lens is, for me, the supreme discipline of contact lens fitting. Fully exploiting visual potential is often only possible with multifocal rigid lenses.”
3. Expectation management determines success
“I consciously keep expectations slightly lower during the consultation. If the result then exceeds expectations, we score more than 100 points.” Those who do not promise everything create room for positive surprises – and that is exactly where trust is built.
4. Artificial tears are part of modern care
A slightly reduced tear film is not an exclusion criterion for contact lenses – not even for multifocal lenses.
Targeted use of artificial tears is part of contemporary contact lens care.
5. Digital visibility brings the right patients
“Everything that does not progress elsewhere finds its way to us sooner or later via social media – because we are visible and communicate our services.”
