24/09/2025
đź‘“ Goodbye Reading Glasses? Eye Drops That Restore Near Vision in Just 1 Hour
Scientists may have just changed the future of eye care. At the 2025 European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Congress, researchers unveiled eye drops that could free millions from reading glasses and surgery.
In a large real-world study of 766 patients with presbyopia (age-related near vision loss), drops containing pilocarpine (to sharpen focus) and diclofenac (to ease inflammation) significantly improved near vision. Many participants gained the ability to read two to three extra lines on the Jaeger chart just one hour after their first dose.
Even more remarkable, the benefits lasted up to two years with continued use. Over 80% of patients maintained functional near vision after a year, and side effects were mild and temporary—like brief dim vision or irritation. Crucially, no one stopped using the therapy because of side effects.
Unlike surgery or constant reliance on glasses, these drops offer a non-invasive, accessible alternative. While further multi-center studies are needed to confirm long-term safety, this trial marks the first to test multiple pilocarpine concentrations with diclofenac. If confirmed, it could represent a simple, affordable solution for the millions affected by presbyopia worldwide.
đź“– Reference: Benozzi, G. et al. (2025). Dose-dependent efficacy and safety of pilocarpine-diclofenac eye drops for presbyopia: a real-world single-center study. Presented at the 43rd ESCRS Congress. Abstract ESCRS25-FP-3944.
