Presbyopia is a condition where people experience age-related blurry vision when looking at items up close. This common eye condition affects nearly all adults over the age of 40 and progresses as we get older, decreasing the ability to focus on near objects, like reading a menu or checking a texting message.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new prescription eye drop to treat presbyopia, which is typically managed with over-the-counter reading glasses or contact lenses.

“Treatment for age-related vision trouble is the most common conversation I have with my patients,” says Dr. Daniel Diamond, an optometrist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Presbyopia is unavoidable and part of aging, so people do get frustrated. But it’s something that can be managed and not a condition to be afraid of.”

“Reading glasses are the easiest way to have clear and functional vision, but for those who do not want to or are unable to wear glasses or contacts, eye drops can be an option.”

Health Matters spoke with Dr. Diamond to learn more about eye drop treatment for presbyopia, whether drops can help improve blurry vision, and risks and side effects.

What is presbyopia?

Dr. Diamond: Presbyopia is a common, age-related vision condition that makes it more difficult to focus on near objects, with symptoms including blurry vision, headaches, and eye strain.

People usually start to notice symptoms around age 40 that continue through age 65 and up. Our eyes adjust to help us look at objects far away and up close, and when that happens, the lens within our eye naturally changes shape, allowing us to change our position of gaze. That lens becomes less flexible as we age, so looking at closer objects can put more strain on the eye.

Can eye drops help with age-related blurry vision?

Certain prescription eye drops can temporarily give you a better depth of focus and have been around since the late 2010s.

Drops that treat presbyopia work by making your pupil smaller and changing how the eyes focus. The goal is to be able to use a drop two or three times a day, which should allow you go without glasses during this time. Most drops start working after an hour and its benefits can last between six to eight hours.  

Eye drops for age-related blurry vision are still a relatively new treatment but seem to be getting more effective.

Who is a good candidate for these eye drops?

People who can consider eye drops to treat presbyopia include those who have never needed glasses until they reach age 40, and who would prefer not to or are unable to wear spectacles or contacts.

There are some limitations to eye drop medications in terms of age, as most studies done on its efficacy have only included patients under age 60, when presbyopia is in its early to middle stages.

Over time, people typically need to increase the prescription strength of their reading glasses, so the drops work better when patients are younger and there is less need.

It also depends on your lifestyle or career. If your daily routine consists of reading 300 pages of a book up-close, eye drops may not be the best solution. But if you simply want to improve your vision when glancing at your phone, it may be a good option.

Are there risks or side effects to eye drop treatment for presbyopia?

Potential side effects can include:

• Headaches
• Worsened night vision
• Stinging or redness  

While very uncommon, there is a known rate of retinal problems such as retinal detachment, which is extremely serious.

In general, if you’re looking to get any prescription eye drops, it’s recommended to have a thorough eye exam so a provider can identify any preexisting conditions or advise on potential interactions with other medications.

What are other treatments for presbyopia?

Other treatment options for presbyopia include:

• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Vision-correction surgeries