Researchers have created new eye drops aimed at individuals with longsightedness that might reduce the reliance on reading glasses or surgical options.
Presbyopia affects hundreds of millions around the globe, making it hard for people to focus on nearby objects and text. While glasses or surgical procedures typically offer solutions, many find the glasses bothersome, and surgery is not a feasible choice for everyone.
Experts are now suggesting that the answer might lie in using these eye drops just twice a day.
A study shared this past Sunday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) in Copenhagen indicated that a significant number of individuals could read additional lines on eye charts after using the drops, with improvements lasting for as long as two years.
This treatment could offer a safe and effective option for those who prefer to avoid the hassle of glasses or cannot pursue surgery, according to specialists.
The drops feature pilocarpine, which helps narrow the pupils and contract the muscle controlling the eye’s lens shape, allowing better focus at various distances, alongside diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug that lessens swelling.
The research included 766 participants in Argentina who administered the eye drops twice daily, once in the morning and again about six hours later.
Participants were split into three groups, each receiving different variations of the drops. All formulations contained a consistent diclofenac dose, but the concentration of pilocarpine varied—1%, 2%, and 3%.
Results were notable: nearly all from the 1% group could read two more lines on the chart, while 69% of those in the 2% group read three or more extra lines, and 84% of the 3% group achieved similar results.
Dr. Giovanna Benozzi, leading the Centre for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Buenos Aires, commented on the significant findings: “The most important result we observed was rapid and lasting improvements in near vision across all three concentrations. One hour post-application of the first drops, patients enjoyed an average gain of 3.45 Jaeger lines—the standard measurement for near visual acuity. Importantly, focus improved at all distances.
“Remarkably, 99% of the 148 patients in the 1% pilocarpine group achieved optimal near vision and read two or more additional lines.”
Benozzi noted that these results suggest this therapy could provide a “safe, effective, and well-tolerated alternative to conventional presbyopia treatments.”
Common side effects included temporary dim vision, irritation from the drops, and occasional headaches.
Experts have praised these findings but emphasize the need for further research. Prof. Burkhard Dick, the president-elect of ESCRS, highlighted that “larger, long-term, multi-center studies are essential to confirm both safety and effectiveness before this treatment can be recommended on a broader scale.”
