Ageing comes with an onset of hardening of the eye lenses. Consequently, it requires more effort by the eye muscles to squeeze the eye lenses into different shapes in order to change their focal point. This makes us start squinting so as to see or place things at arm’s length in order to read them. This is presbyopia.
Reading glasses has been the only recommended intervention for age-related blurred near-vision. That, of course, is until the coming of a new eyedrop to market. The new drug promises to delay that inevitability for a little longer.
A newly approved eye drop, marketed as Vuity, has hit the market. This could change the lives of millions of people with age-related blurred near vision, a condition that primarily affects people aged 40 and older.
The eye drop, Vuity, could possibly take the place of reading glasses for people who struggle to see things that are close-up. The new drug, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October, takes effect in about 15 minutes, with one drop in each eye providing sharper vision for between 6 to 10 hours, according to the company.
750 people participated in the clinical trial to test the drug. One of the participants described the Vuity as “life-changing.” She further said she had to keep her reading glasses everywhere, in her office, bathroom, kitchen and car. she was in denial because for her it was a sign of old age.
The 54-year-old online consultant, who works on her farm in western Pennsylvania, immediately noticed a difference when she used the new eye drop with the possibility to correct her vision problems temporarily which her doctor told her.
Being the first eye drops approved by the FDA, Vuity is to treat age-related blurred near vision, also known as presbyopia. The prescription drug uses the natural ability to reduce pupil size, said lead investigator Dr George Waring.
“Reducing the pupil size expands the depth of field or the depth of focus, and that allows you to focus at different ranges naturally,” he said.
Vuity is not at all a cure and the producer has cautioned against the use of the drops when driving at night or carrying out activities under low light conditions.
The drops are intended for use in mild to intermediate cases. It is also less effective after age 65 as the eyes age. Users may also have temporary difficulty adjusting the focus between near and far objects
For the moment, the drug is not covered by insurance and insurance might most likely never cover it because it’s not “medically necessary” since glasses are always a cheaper alternative.
Some people have taken the new drug as an easy backup solution with a clear advantage and ease of having an option of putting the drops in and being able to go.
