Eye drops for presbyopia in the spotlight

Delegates to the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Congress (12-16 September, Copenhagen) were presented with research outlining the potential of eye drops for the treatment of presbyopia.

Dr Giovanna Benozzi, director of the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Argentina, outlined results from a trial involving 766 patients who instilled eye drops twice daily.

The eye drops contained pilocarpine – a medication that constricts the pupils and contracts the ciliary muscle – and diclofenac, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

The researchers found that one hour after instilling the eye drops, the study participants could read an average of more 3.45 lines on a Jaeger chart.

Benozzi explained that the research was conducted because of a “significant unmet medical need” in managing presbyopia.

“Current solutions such as reading glasses or surgical interventions have limitations, including inconvenience, social discomfort, and potential risks of complications,” she said.

Benozzi highlighted that presbyopic patients who have limited options other than spectacles and who are not candidates for surgery are the primary focus of this research.

“Eye care professionals now have an evidence-based pharmacological option that expands the spectrum of presbyopia care beyond glasses and surgery,” she said.