Argentinian Researchers Develop Special Eye Drops to Improve Presbyopia
Vision Improvement Lasts Up to Two Years
Research results suggesting that presbyopia can be improved with eye drops alone, without glasses or surgery, are drawing attention. The study found that using a special eye drop twice a day can improve presbyopia, and that the effect can last for up to two years.
According to The Guardian (UK) on September 14 (local time), a research team from the Presbyopia Research Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, presented these findings at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on September 8.
The research team developed a special eye drop by combining pilocarpine, a drug previously used to treat glaucoma, with diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory agent. Pilocarpine helps focus on nearby objects by constricting the pupil and contracting the muscles that adjust the lens-similar to how a camera adjusts its focus. Diclofenac helps alleviate side effects such as inflammation, pain, and bleeding that can occur with long-term use of pilocarpine.
The team administered these eye drops to 766 patients with an average age of 55. Participants were divided into three groups, each receiving eye drops with different concentrations twice a day at six-hour intervals. The three groups received eye drops with pilocarpine concentrations of 1%, 2%, or 3%, while the concentration of diclofenac remained the same for all groups. After administering the eye drops, participants read an eye chart used for near vision tests without wearing glasses.
As a result, all groups showed improvements in vision. Specifically, in the group that received the 1% concentration (148 people), 99% were able to read at least two additional lines on the eye chart. In the group given the 2% concentration (248 people), 69% could read three more lines, while in the 3% group (370 people), 84% could read three more lines. The improvement in participants' vision lasted for an average of 434 days, with some experiencing benefits for up to nearly two years.
However, there were some side effects. Some participants experienced temporarily blurred vision or eye irritation immediately after using the drops, and a few reported headaches.
The research team explained, "This new eye drop could be a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments for presbyopia."
Commenting on the study, Professor Burkhard Dick of Ruhr University Bochum in Germany said, "These are impressive results," but added, "Further research is needed to confirm long-term safety."
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