You are not the only one whose reading vision has become worse as you age. Presbyopia is a term that refers to the progressive loss of near vision caused by age. It affects approximately half of all adults.

You probably noticed the changes first while reading small print. Perhaps you reacted counterintuitively by moving closer to the subject matter, where blurry letters became more clear.

Many adults have settled on reading glasses as a long-term solution to their near-vision problems.

However, could you be able to make a new calculation with the help of eye drops?

Pilocarpine hydrochloride (1.25%), an ophthalmic solution and prescription eye drops, was approved by the FDA to treat presbyopia.

Houston Methodist’s ophthalmologist Dr. Rahul Panit says that Pilocarpine is the first of the range of drops that has been approved for near vision improvement. There are pros and cons to be aware of before you use this new drop.

It would be wonderful to finally get rid of reading glasses. How do you determine if these new drops work for you?

What’s presbyopia?

Dr. Pandit says that presbyopia is when you reach 40-45 years old. This is near vision loss caused by age-related stiffening in the lens. This is sometimes called dysfunctional lens syndrome by some ophthalmologists.

Dr. Pandit says that natural lens stiffening can lead to cataract formation later in life. As the stiffening worsens, the lens becomes more opaque and harder.

The eye’s lens is flexible and can change shape depending on whether it’s trying to focus on something distant or near.

The lens becomes more relaxed when you focus on an object far away. Focusing on objects close to you will cause them to change their shape and curvature. This is known as accommodation. During this time, the pupil constricts and becomes smaller. This enhances the lens’ near-focusing ability.

Dr. Pandit explains that the lens becomes stiffer over time and loses its ability of changing shape. This causes progressive near vision problems.

The limitation can be corrected by reading glasses, which have an external lens that is designed to focus on nearby objects and relay an image back towards your eye.

However, distance vision can also be affected by reading glasses. This is why reading glasses can be easy to lose.

What are the benefits of using new eye drops to treat presbyopia?

Pilocarpine, a medication that constricts your pupil to improve close-range vision, is known as Pilocarpine.

Dr. Pandit says that drops won’t alter the natural shape or flexibility of your eyes. They mimic what happens naturally to your pupil if you are accommodating.

He explained that the only difference between these new drops and older formulations is the fact that the chemical nature of the solution has changed to make it more gentle and last for a longer time.

Daily drops are available only by prescription and take effect in 15 minutes. They last up to six hours.

Pilocarpine drops don’t affect distance vision, which is why this method of improving near vision is so beneficial.

What side effects can pilocarpine eye drops cause to correct close-range vision problems?

“What does constriction do to the pupil?” Dr. Pandit asks. Dr. Pandit says, “It keeps you eye muscles active and closes some of your peripheral sight, so eye strain or tunnel vision might result for some people.”

Pilocarpine prescription eye drops (1.25%) are most commonly associated with side effects:

• Headaches
• Eye redness
• Eye irritation
• Increased production of tears

Drops can also cause vision impairment in low-light conditions, so they are not recommended for night driving.

Dr. Pandit says that there will be other drops for near vision improvement. These drops may work in slightly different ways, or have slightly different formulations. This could help to overcome some of the undesirable side effects of pilocarpine.

Is there a way to improve close-range vision in

Dr. Pandit explains that reading glasses and the new eye drops aren’t the only options for presbyopia treatment.

There are other options for improving near vision. Some of these alternatives can be permanent.

• Monovision and bifocal contact lenses
• Monovision laser surgery
• Lens implants

Dr. Pandit says that there are many ways to correct near vision. However, no one method is perfect to replicate the natural ability of youth to focus. If you are interested in a thorough overview of all the options, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist. Your doctor can help you determine the best treatment for you, based on the severity of your presbyopia as well as your unique lifestyle requirements.