As people age, many develop presbyopia — age-related farsightedness that makes it hard to read things at close range — and may turn to reading glasses. But new research suggests another option may be on the horizon.
Scientists have found that specially formulated eye drops could restore close-up vision for many patients, offering a non-surgical, non-glasses approach to age-related vision loss.
The study, presented on Sept. 14 at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in Denmark, followed 766 patients, most in their mid-50s, who were experiencing the classic symptoms of presbyopia.
POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS LINKED TO SUDDEN VISION LOSS, RESEARCH SUGGESTS
Instead of glasses, researchers prescribed drops containing pilocarpine, a drug that helps the eye adjust its focus, along with diclofenac, a mild anti-inflammatory designed to make the treatment more comfortable.
Dr Giovanna Benozzi, director of the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said in a press release that the team conducted this research due to the significant unmet medical need in presbyopia management.
“Current solutions, such as reading glasses or surgical interventions, have limitations, including inconvenience, social discomfort and potential risks or complications,” she said.
Patients were instructed to use the drops twice daily, once in the morning and again about six hours later, with the option of a third dose if needed. Their vision was then measured with small-print eye charts over the course of two years.
