FDA-approved eye drops that immediately improve age-related blurry vision are now available across the United States.
In October of this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved VUITY for the treatment of presbyopia. The age-related vision change occurs shortly after the age of 40. With the increase in age, the lens of the eye loses its flexibility and hardens. Thus, making it more difficult for the lens to change shape and focus light on the retina. As a result, people with presbyopia often complain of blurry vision and difficulty reading fine print or seeing near objects. Prescription glasses, contact lenses, and surgery are some of the most common treatment options for presbyopia. However, VUITY aims to provide an easier solution in the form of eye drops.
The once-daily eye drops offer a first-of-its-kind treatment for adults facing age-related blurry vision. According to the biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, the eye drops contain an ophthalmic solution of pilocarpine that are delivered via pHast™ technology. This allows VUITY to rapidly adjust to the physiologic pH of the eye’s tear film. The active ingredient pilocarpine causes pupil constriction, helping with near vision. Moreover, it can improve vision within 15 minutes and last up to 6 hours without affecting distance vision.
We are pleased to be able to bring this first-of-its-kind treatment to market sooner than expected for the millions of Americans with presbyopia who may benefit from it.
Jag Dosanjh, senior vice president medical therapeutics, Allergan, an AbbVie company
Available via Prescription
The FDA approval was based on the results of two phase 3 studies, GEMINI 1 and GEMINI 2. These trials evaluated the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of VUITY among a total of 750 participants with presbyopia. The participants either used one drop of VUITY or a placebo once daily in each eye. At day 30, those that used VUITY reported a shaper short sight than the control group. Moreover, researchers did not observe any serious side effects among the participants.
In a recent press release, AbbVie announced that the eye drops are now available via prescription across pharmacies in the US. Thus, providing an easier alternative to 128 million Americans who currently suffer from presbyopia.
With VUITY now available, it is a good time for those who experience age-related blurry near vision to visit their eye doctor for an exam and to discuss their options to manage this common condition.
Dr Selina McGee, optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry
Source: AbbVie
