How Presbyopia Treatment Drops Work: Mechanisms, Duration & What to Expect
Presbyopia is an age-related condition of the eye. The condition impacts the eyes' capability to focus on nearby objects. Part of the natural aging process includes loss of eye elasticity.
Gradually, the lens struggles to change shape to focus clearly on close objects. Individuals may experience blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, and the need to hold objects farther from their faces to read clearly. While this condition is age-related, there are corrective measures that can be taken to address it, including bifocals, contact lenses specifically designed for presbyopia, and, in some cases, eye surgery.
Prescribed drops can establish a temporary treatment but are not considered a cure, as they do not fully restore near vision. You should discuss your concerns with your eye care professional to establish whether drops are right for you. For more information on how presbyopia treatment drops work, continue reading below.
Presbyopia Treatment Drops
Prescription eye drops for presbyopia treatment may be prescribed by your eye care provider to treat age-related blurred near vision. While these medications are meant to temporarily treat age-related near vision, developing medications are aimed at restoring lens flexibility. More research and development is needed to consider these lens-softening approaches.
How They Work: Mechanisms
Prescription presbyopia treatment drops may temporarily treat age-based blurry near vision. Presbyopia-correcting drops increase depth of field via what's called a "pinhole effect," which constricts the pupil and helps the eye to steady visual focus on close objects by blocking out peripheral rays of light, similarly to reading glasses. These drops, however, do so without influencing distance vision.
Within these drops are mitotic agents, which stimulate an eye muscle (the iris sphincter), causing it to contract and shrink the size of the pupil. When the pupil is smaller, peripheral light viewing is reduced, helping the user to experience clearer near vision. For near and intermediate vision improvements, presbyopia treatment drops are worth inquiring about with your doctor.
Duration And Treatment
Typically, presbyopia treatment drops are taken one time a day. There may be an option to take them 3-6 hours after the first round. Taking a second round is intended to extend their effects. Patients can achieve 6-9 hours of visual improvement with presbyopia treatment drops. The results vary, as individual factors may influence the duration.
What To Expect
Symptoms may begin in one's mid-40s and impact most people as they get older. Look out for side effects of presbyopia drops, such as vision dimming, headaches, eye irritation, and difficulty with distance seeing in low lighting. You may need a comprehensive eye exam prior to being prescribed these drops.
Taking Preventative Measures
Since presbyopia is a condition of the natural aging process, it is not a disease. You can establish an eye health management and treatment plan when you speak with your doctor. With preventative care measures taken, you can take care of your overall eye health now and in the future. Reach out to your eye care provider to determine whether presbyopia treatment drops are right for you.
