Can eye drops really replace reading glasses?

Veni E N

Oct 06, 2025

Health

Health

A new class of eye drops is emerging as a potential alternative to reading glasses for presbyopia, the age-related difficulty in near vision that affects nearly two billion people worldwide.

Health

Early research suggests these eye drops can improve near vision quickly and without surgery, generating significant interest among patients and ophthalmologists alike.

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Despite the promise, experts caution that long-term safety and effectiveness remain uncertain.

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Pilocarpine, a century-old drug repurposed for presbyopia, can cause side effects such as headaches, eye redness, and changes in vision, and its prolonged use has not been extensively studied.

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In India, regulators emphasise that such drops should be prescribed and monitored by medical professionals, rather than marketed as a mass-market solution.