Life-changing eye drops can replace reading glasses, researchers find

A new eye drop called Vuity has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and may potentially be a game-changer for those suffering from Presbyopia, an age-related eye condition that causes blurry vision. Local ophthalmologists have noted that the use of these drops may reduce the need for reading glasses in those who have Presbyopia.


“If we live long enough our eyes are going to age, they are not going to be like they used to be.”

People who want the drops will have to consult an eye doctor, because they are only available through a prescription.

Doctors at UCSF say this breakthrough can be a catalyst for future eye treatment.

“The data we have shows that it really really works,” said Julie Schallhorn, Associate Professor of ophthalmology at UCSF. “It is an exciting time to be in this field, and an exciting time for our patients.”

Participants were instructed to administer one drop of VUITY or placebo once daily in each eye.

Both studies met their primary endpoints with a statistically significant proportion of participants treated with VUITY gaining three lines (the ability to read three additional lines on a reading chart) or more in mesopic (in low light), high contrast, binocular Distance Corrected Near Visual Acuity (DCNVA), without losing more than 1 line (5 letters) of Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (CDVA) at day 30, hour 3, versus placebo.

Presbyopia, known as age-related blurry near vision, is a common and progressive eye condition that reduces the eye’s ability to focus on near objects and usually impacts people after age 40. In a non-presbyopic eye, the clear lens behind the iris can change shape and focus light to the retina, making it easier to see things up close.