A new study suggests that specially developed eye drops could help older adults reduce their need for reading glasses. Researchers investigated the effects of the treatment on people with presbyopia. It is a common condition that typically begins after age 40 and makes it harder to focus on close objects such as books, phones, and labels. Presbyopia occurs as the eye’s lens gradually becomes less flexible with age, reducing its ability to adjust focus for nearby vision.
Dr. Giovanna Benozzi, director of the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said,
“We 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.
“There is a group of presbyopia patients who have limited options besides spectacles, and who are not candidates for surgery; these are our primary focus of interest. We sought to provide robust clinical evidence supporting an innovative pharmacological solution to offer patients a non-invasive, convenient and effective alternative.”
The study involved 766 patients and was presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. According to researchers, many participants experienced noticeable improvements in near vision after using the eye drops regularly. Patients were reportedly able to read two or more extra lines on a near-vision eye chart, and some individuals maintained these improvements for up to two years during follow-up observations.
The treatment combines two medications: pilocarpine and diclofenac. Pilocarpine helps improve close-up vision by narrowing the pupil and stimulating the muscles involved in focusing the eye. Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, was included to reduce irritation and side effects that can sometimes occur with pilocarpine alone. Researchers believe the combination may offer a practical non-surgical option for people who want an alternative to reading glasses or invasive procedures.
Scientists involved in the research explained that many individuals with presbyopia find reading glasses inconvenient, while surgical options may not be suitable for everyone. The goal of the treatment is to provide a simpler approach that improves everyday visual tasks and quality of life.
Dr. Benozzi told the Congress,
“Our most significant result showed rapid and sustained improvements in near vision for all three concentrations. One hour after having the first drops, patients had an average improvement of 3.45 Jaeger lines. The treatment also improved focus at all distances.
“Impressively, 99% of 148 patients in the 1% pilocarpine group reached optimal near vision and were able to read two or more extra lines. Approximately 83% of all patients maintained good functional near vision at 12 months. Importantly, no significant adverse events like increased intraocular pressure or retinal detachment were observed.”
Although the findings are promising, researchers emphasised that further clinical studies are still necessary to confirm long-term safety and effectiveness. Reading glasses remain the most widely used solution for presbyopia, but these eye drops may eventually provide another option for people experiencing age-related difficulties with near vision.
