Everybody develops presbyopia — farsightedness caused by loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye — as they age. However, the solution might be as simple as using special eye drops 2-3 times a day. A recent study found that using specially formulated eye drops allowed participants to read an extra two, three or more lines on the eye chart, and the improvement was sustained for up to two years. The eye drops, developed by Dr. Jorge Benozzi of the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contain a combination of the active agents pilocarpine — a drug that constricts the pupils and contracts the ciliary muscle — and diclofenac — a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces discomfort. Just one hour after using the eye drops, participants could read the eye chart without reading glasses. The treatment also improved focus at all distances. An impressive 83% of the participants reached optimal near vision at 12 months, with no adverse effects. Improvement in vision was sustained for up to two years. Broader, long-term studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness, but researchers are hopeful that reading glasses will become a thing of the past in the near future.
