An updated systematic review of pharmacological treatments for presbyopia

Abstract

Background

Presbyopia, a common age-related condition affecting near vision, impacts over a billion people worldwide. The aim of this paper is to review the main reports and results of clinical trials, comparing the newest pharmacological treatment options for presbyopia, their mechanisms of action, and possible side effects.

Main text

Pharmacological approaches, involving eye drops that target the underlying mechanisms of presbyopia, have gained growing interest. Two key pharmacological agents in this field are miotics and lens softeners. Miotics enhance near vision temporarily by creating a pinhole effect, though they may cause side effects and are under further investigation for long-term use with ongoing research also exploring the potential benefits of combining them with other drugs to improve outcomes and reduce adverse reactions. Lens softeners, on the other hand, aim to restore the flexibility of the lens, addressing one of the primary causes of presbyopia. Despite early trials, further development of lens softeners has been suspended. A notable advancement in this field is the recent FDA approval of 1.25% and 0.4% pilocarpine, a miotic agent, for presbyopia treatment. This milestone highlights the growing interest in pharmacological solutions for presbyopia, with several new drugs and their combinations currently being investigated for potential FDA approval.

Conclusions

pharmacological treatments, particularly miotics like pilocarpine, represent a promising alternative to conventional methods for managing presbyopia. Continued research into these treatments, especially combinations of drugs, may offer more effective and convenient options for presbyopia patients in the future.