A newly presented study suggests that daily eye drops may offer a safe and effective alternative to reading glasses for age-related near vision loss, or presbyopia.
Researchers from the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Buenos Aires tested drops combining pilocarpine, which contracts the eye muscles and pupils, with diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug that reduces irritation. Results were shared at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
The study followed 766 patients, average age 55, for up to two years. Within an hour of using the drops, patients improved by an average of 3.45 lines on a Jaeger chart, which measures near vision. Most maintained their improved sight for more than a year, and some up to two years.
Dr. Giovanna Benozzi, who led the research, said: “We sought to provide robust clinical evidence supporting an innovative pharmacological solution to offer patients a non-invasive, convenient and effective alternative.”Nearly all patients experienced measurable improvements. Those with milder presbyopia responded best to the 1% pilocarpine
concentration, while more advanced cases required stronger doses. Importantly, no serious adverse events such as retinal detachment were reported. Mild side effects included dim vision, eye irritation, and occasional headaches.
Professor Burkhard Dick, ESCRS President-Elect, noted that while results are promising, the single-center, retrospective design means broader trials are needed. He cautioned that long-term pilocarpine and NSAID use can carry risks.
Dr. Benozzi emphasized that the drops are not meant to replace surgery but to expand options for patients who cannot or do not wish to undergo surgical procedures. With further validation, this therapy could significantly reduce dependence on glasses, offering a non-invasive way to restore clear near vision.
Reading Glasses May Soon Be History Thanks to Breakthrough Eye Drops
