A new alternative has emerged for people who are suffering from an age-related eye condition. For all those who do not want to wear glasses frequently or at all, they can resort to using eye drops twice daily. According to a new study, using eye drops twice daily could offer a major breakthrough for a widespread, age-related eye condition, and it can also improve vision.
Experts believe this treatment could turn out to be a safe and effective alternative for individuals who "seek freedom from the inconvenience" of wearing glasses, according to a report by the Independent.
Experts in Argentina have explored the use of special eye drops as an option for people with the condition. This alternative can be very effective for people in the United States, where approximately 7 million people have vision impairment, including 1 million with blindness, according to CDC vision and eye health data.
What is Presbyopia
Speaking of eye conditions and vision impairment, presbyopia is a common form of long-sightedness where the eye finds it tough to focus on things up close. According to the Independent, this condition develops as the lens of the eye becomes less flexible due to age. This condition is frequently observed in people from their 40s onwards. According to CDC data, as of 2012, 4.2 million Americans aged 40 or older have uncorrectable vision impairment. This number is predicted to more than double by 2050.
America has a rapidly aging population, which means more people living with diabetes and other chronic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, the CDC data stated.
What are the existing ways for correcting presbyopia
Use of reading glasses is perhaps the most prevalent way for correcting presbyopia. The other one is the surgical option, but only with proper consultation with your doctor or eye specialist.
The Argentinian experts have come out with an option in the form of special eye drops. According to Independent, the drops comprise pilocarpine, a drug that constricts the pupils and contracts the muscle that controls the shape of the eye’s lens to enable focus on objects at different distances, and diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation.
The latest study included 766 people who used the drops twice a day, usually upon waking and around six hours later. The group was divided into three, each receiving different formulations of the drops. Each formulation had a fixed dose of diclofenac, but the concentration of pilocarpine varied from 1%, 2%, and 3%.
What did the experts say
Dr. Giovanna Benozzi, director of the Centre for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Buenos Aires, 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,” as quoted by the Independent.
What did the researchers observe
Researchers discovered that one hour after the drops were administered, patients showed an average improvement of 3.45 Jaeger lines. The Jaeger eye chart (or Jaeger card) is used to test and document near visual acuity at a normal reading distance.
In the 148 patients given the 1% pilocarpine drops, almost all were able to read two or more extra lines on the chart, according to the Independent. In the 2% group, some 69% of the 248 patients were able to read three or more extra lines, and in the 3% group, some 84% of the 370 patients could read three or more extra lines.
Dr. Benozzi, the daughter of the late Dr. Jorge Benozzi, who developed the drops, added, “Our most significant result showed rapid and sustained improvements in near vision for all three concentrations,” as quoted by the Independent.
According to researchers, the improvement in vision was sustained for up to two years, with the most common side effects being temporary dim vision, irritation when the drops were administered, and headaches.
The findings were presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) in Denmark. According to Dr. Benozzi, the findings suggest that the therapy “offers a safe, effective, and well-tolerated alternative to traditional presbyopia management.”
“It significantly reduces dependence on reading glasses, providing a convenient, non-invasive option for patients, although these eye drops may not eliminate the need for glasses in all individuals,” she added.
“Importantly, this treatment is not intended to replace surgical interventions but rather to serve as a valuable solution for patients who need safe, effective, and personalized alternatives and seek freedom from the inconvenience of eyewear.” However, according to experts, more research is needed before this treatment is recommended widely.
Disclaimer: The article is for general information or educational purposes only, and is not a medical advice. Please consult your doctor as this is not a substitute for professional help.
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Experts believe this treatment could turn out to be a safe and effective alternative for individuals who "seek freedom from the inconvenience" of wearing glasses, according to a report by the Independent.
Experts in Argentina have explored the use of special eye drops as an option for people with the condition. This alternative can be very effective for people in the United States, where approximately 7 million people have vision impairment, including 1 million with blindness, according to CDC vision and eye health data.
What is Presbyopia
Speaking of eye conditions and vision impairment, presbyopia is a common form of long-sightedness where the eye finds it tough to focus on things up close. According to the Independent, this condition develops as the lens of the eye becomes less flexible due to age. This condition is frequently observed in people from their 40s onwards. According to CDC data, as of 2012, 4.2 million Americans aged 40 or older have uncorrectable vision impairment. This number is predicted to more than double by 2050.
America has a rapidly aging population, which means more people living with diabetes and other chronic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, the CDC data stated.
What are the existing ways for correcting presbyopia
Use of reading glasses is perhaps the most prevalent way for correcting presbyopia. The other one is the surgical option, but only with proper consultation with your doctor or eye specialist.
What are special eye drops
The Argentinian experts have come out with an option in the form of special eye drops. According to Independent, the drops comprise pilocarpine, a drug that constricts the pupils and contracts the muscle that controls the shape of the eye’s lens to enable focus on objects at different distances, and diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation.
The latest study included 766 people who used the drops twice a day, usually upon waking and around six hours later. The group was divided into three, each receiving different formulations of the drops. Each formulation had a fixed dose of diclofenac, but the concentration of pilocarpine varied from 1%, 2%, and 3%.
What did the experts say
Dr. Giovanna Benozzi, director of the Centre for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Buenos Aires, 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,” as quoted by the Independent.
What did the researchers observe
Researchers discovered that one hour after the drops were administered, patients showed an average improvement of 3.45 Jaeger lines. The Jaeger eye chart (or Jaeger card) is used to test and document near visual acuity at a normal reading distance.
In the 148 patients given the 1% pilocarpine drops, almost all were able to read two or more extra lines on the chart, according to the Independent. In the 2% group, some 69% of the 248 patients were able to read three or more extra lines, and in the 3% group, some 84% of the 370 patients could read three or more extra lines.
Dr. Benozzi, the daughter of the late Dr. Jorge Benozzi, who developed the drops, added, “Our most significant result showed rapid and sustained improvements in near vision for all three concentrations,” as quoted by the Independent.
According to researchers, the improvement in vision was sustained for up to two years, with the most common side effects being temporary dim vision, irritation when the drops were administered, and headaches.
The findings were presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) in Denmark. According to Dr. Benozzi, the findings suggest that the therapy “offers a safe, effective, and well-tolerated alternative to traditional presbyopia management.”
“It significantly reduces dependence on reading glasses, providing a convenient, non-invasive option for patients, although these eye drops may not eliminate the need for glasses in all individuals,” she added.
“Importantly, this treatment is not intended to replace surgical interventions but rather to serve as a valuable solution for patients who need safe, effective, and personalized alternatives and seek freedom from the inconvenience of eyewear.” However, according to experts, more research is needed before this treatment is recommended widely.
Disclaimer: The article is for general information or educational purposes only, and is not a medical advice. Please consult your doctor as this is not a substitute for professional help.
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