Scientists find easy alternative to glasses for people with common eye condition
How twice-daily eye drops could replace glasses for some
- A new study suggests that twice-daily eye drops could offer a significant breakthrough for presbyopia, a common age-related long-sightedness, potentially improving near vision.
- Developed in Argentina, the drops contain pilocarpine, which constricts pupils and contracts the eye's lens muscle, and diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
- In a study involving 766 participants, the treatment led to rapid and sustained improvements in near vision, with some formulations enabling almost all patients to read two or more extra lines on an eye chart.
- The vision improvement was sustained for up to two years, with the most common side effects being temporary dim vision, irritation upon administration, and headaches.
- While researchers propose the drops as a safe and effective alternative to glasses, other experts emphasise the need for broader, long-term, multi-centre studies to confirm safety and effectiveness before widespread recommendation.