Eye drops boost near vision and could reduce reliance on reading glasses, study finds

Researchers reported that specially formulated eye drops given a few times daily produced rapid and sustained improvements in near vision in a retrospective series of 766 patients, potentially reducing dependence on reading glasses.

In the study presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, investigators measured patients’ near vision without reading glasses one hour after the first administration of the drops and again over follow-up of up to two years. On average, patients improved by 3.45 Jaeger lines one hour after the initial dose, and the majority could read an additional two, three or more lines on the Jaeger near-vision chart after treatment.

The topical formulation combined pilocarpine, which constricts the pupil and contracts the ciliary muscle involved in accommodation, with diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory intended to reduce both inflammation and the discomfort that can accompany pilocarpine use. Patients were typically instructed to administer the drops twice daily — on waking and again about six hours later — with an optional third dose in the evening if symptoms recurred or additional visual comfort was required.

Dr. Giovanna Benozza, director of the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Argentina and a lead author on the report, said the research responded to an ‘‘unmet medical need in presbyopia management’’ and that the treatment produced ‘‘rapid and sustained improvements in near vision.’’ She added that the drops also ‘‘improved focus at all distances’’ and could ‘‘significantly reduce dependence on reading glasses.’’ Dr. Benozza emphasized the drops are not intended to replace surgical interventions but to offer a pharmacological option for patients seeking alternatives to eyewear or surgery.

The investigators described the analysis as retrospective, based on patient records and follow-up data collected over the two-year period. The Jaeger chart was used to quantify near-vision changes in the treated eyes, with assessments recorded one hour after the first dose and at intervals thereafter during follow-up.

Presbyopia is an age-related condition in which the eye loses the ability to focus on close objects and text. Standard non-surgical management typically includes reading glasses or multifocal lenses; surgical options aimed at restoring accommodation are also available but can carry risks and are not suitable or desirable for all patients. The study authors framed the eye-drop approach as an additional, evidence-based pharmacological option that expands the spectrum of presbyopia care beyond glasses and surgery.

The report provided details on dosing, mechanism of action and measured visual gains but did not include a randomised control arm; investigators characterized the work as a retrospective study rather than a controlled trial. The findings were delivered to peers at the ESCRS congress and are being discussed within the ophthalmic community as clinicians and researchers consider pharmacologic approaches to presbyopia.

Further information on adverse events, long-term safety beyond the two-year follow-up reported, and comparative effectiveness versus existing therapies was not provided in the presentation materials cited. The authors and presenters noted the treatment’s potential to offer a personalised, non-surgical option for people who find glasses inconvenient or socially uncomfortable.

The full dataset, methodology and peer-reviewed publication status were not detailed in the presentation notes. The study adds to a growing body of research exploring topical pharmacological approaches to improve accommodation and near vision in presbyopic patients, and the authors highlighted the option as a potential addition to clinical practice pending broader evaluation and regulatory review.