
Alcon Introduces TOTAL30 Multifocal Contact Lenses to Address Presbyopia
Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), a global leader in medical devices for eye care, has announced the global launch of TOTAL30® Multifocal. TOTAL30 Multifocal is the world’s first and only monthly Water Gradient multifocal contact lens, designed for individuals dealing with presbyopia, a common age-related condition that makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects. The TOTAL30 Multifocal Lenses join other multifocal offerings from Alcon such as its Air Optix® line which it launched in 2018.
Presbyopia typically affects individuals as they age, leading to difficulties in focusing on close objects, often necessitating reading glasses or bifocals. This condition is a natural part of the aging process. Many people over the age of 40 cease wearing contact lenses due to issues like lens dryness, discomfort, and vision problems. With the prevalence of digital devices in daily life, the added challenge of digital device dryness has become increasingly prevalent. TOTAL30 Multifocal aims to address these challenges by utilizing proprietary Water Gradient Technology. This innovation ensures that nearly 100% of the lens’s surface is composed of water, combatting digital device dryness and providing improved comfort.
The multifocal contact lens market is experiencing rapid growth, with a global valuation of over $1 billion and double-digit annual expansion—outpacing the growth of the contact lens category as a whole. With presbyopia affecting up to 80% of individuals between the ages of 45 and 55 and an aging population, the multifocal contact lens segment is expected to continue grow faster than the overall $15 billion contact lens market which currently grows in the mid-single digits. Alcon will compete against other multifocal lens providers such as Johnson & Johnson Vision, Bausch and Lomb, CooperVision, Menicon, and UltraVision. Alcon’s will position the TOTAL30 Multifocal lenses are positioned as a premium solution within this market. As per a 2015 Gallup poll, a mere 9% of adults within the age group requiring multifocal correction were advised to consider contact lenses as a viable correction option.
Ian Bell, President of Global Business and Innovation at Alcon, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing multifocal contact lens wearers with superior comfort and clarity. He stated, “The lens material approaches 100% water at the surface so all that touches your eye is a gentle cushion of moisture. This will not only transform the multifocal lens-wearing experience but also ensure an exceptional fitting experience for Eye Care Professionals.” The device design has achieved a 96% success rate in fitting patients with Alcon multifocal contact lenses.
TOTAL30 Multifocal lenses will be part of the TOTAL30 portfolio, which also includes TOTAL30 Sphere lenses and TOTAL30 for Astigmatism. Alcon is set to showcase TOTAL30 Multifocal contact lenses during the upcoming American Academy of Optometry conference.