Could Eye Drops Replace Reading Glasses?

(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved eye drops that might be able to replace reading glasses for millions of Americans.

These new eye drops, found under the brand name Vuity (pilocarpine HCI ophthalmic solution), got FDA approval to treat age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia).

Presbyopia is thought to affect around 1.8 billion people around the world, according to a 2018 study. Most of those affected are older adults. And for many people who deal with this condition, the only solution up to this point has been to use reading glasses or devices that zoom in on text and other small objects.

These new eye drops may replace reading glasses for some users. Vuity is the first eye drop approved by the FDA to treat presbyopia. According to the makers of the drug, it works by reducing the size of the pupils in your eyes. This allows your eyes to focus on objects at different depths.

Vuity was tested for safety and effectiveness in a clinical trial that included 750 participants. The participants, who were between the ages of 40 and 55, were separated into two groups. One group received Vuity, and the other received a placebo drug. Those who received Vuity performed significantly better than those who received a placebo on a vision test.

Side effects of Vuity included eye redness and headaches. The drug manufacturer, AbbVie, noted that these are not all of the potential side effects of this drug.

AbbVie also noted that Vuity users should be careful when driving at night or trying to complete any hazardous task in conditions with limited light.

Anyone who experiences vision loss after using Vuity should seek immediate medical care, according to AbbVie. Talk to your health care provider about the available treatments for any vision-related condition you have.