A promising discovery: eye drops may end the era of reading glasses.

 

medical

A promising discovery: eye drops may end the era of reading glasses.

Reading glasses have long been the trusted companion of millions of people around the world, helping them read recipes, write letters, and immerse themselves in the latest novels.

But a recent study has revealed that these glasses may be a thing of the past, thanks to innovative eye drops that can effectively and sustainably improve near vision.

A team of researchers specializing in presbyopia, a common condition that makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects as vision advances, conducted a study of 766 patients.

The results showed that the majority were able to read two, three, or more lines on the Jaeger chart after using the drops, indicating a significant improvement in reading ability without glasses, according to a report published by the British newspaper, the Daily Mail.

The drops used in the study contain two main substances:

The first is called Pilocarpine, and it works by constricting the pupil and contracting the ciliary muscle responsible for adjusting focus at different distances.

The second is Diclofenac, which reduces the inflammation and discomfort that pilocarpine can usually cause.

Participants used the drops twice daily, upon waking and again about six hours later, with the option of adding a third dose if symptoms returned or they needed more visual relief.

Fast and sustainable results

Researchers also measured patients' reading ability one hour after first use, recording an average improvement of 3.45 lines on the Jaeger chart. Importantly, the improvement was not temporary, but rather continued over the two full years of the study.

"This research was conducted because of the significant unmet medical need for presbyopia treatment," said Dr. Giovanna Benoza, director of the Center for Advanced Research in Presbyopia in Argentina.

She added, "Traditional solutions such as reading glasses or surgical interventions have limitations, including inconvenience, social embarrassment, and potential risks."

He also noted that "the most notable results were the rapid and sustained improvement in near vision. Just one hour after the first treatment, patients reported a significant improvement, and the treatment also improved their ability to focus at all distances."

A safe and effective alternative

Benoza explained that the new treatment is not intended to replace surgical interventions, but rather to provide a safe, effective, and personalized medication option for patients seeking to free themselves from the constraints of glasses.

“For the first time, eye care professionals have an evidence-based option that expands presbyopia care beyond glasses and surgery,” she continued.

It is noteworthy that the results of the study were presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, where they received widespread attention from doctors and specialists in the field of ophthalmology.