Latest news with #MarcBloomenstein
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Now you don't need reading glasses, new FDA-approved eye drops can sharpen near vision
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Vizz eye drops. These drops improve near vision for adults over 40. Lenz Therapeutics developed this aceclidine-based treatment. Vizz narrows the pupil, increasing focus. Clinical trials showed results within 30 minutes, lasting up to 10 hours. Common side effects include dim vision and eye irritation. Now you don't need reading glasses as FDA approves Vizz eye drops to sharpen near vision for up to 10 hours Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Vizz, a once-daily prescription eye drop that can temporarily improve age-related blurry near vision, or presbyopia, for up to 10 by California-based Lenz Therapeutics , Vizz is the first FDA-approved aceclidine-based treatment for presbyopia in the United States. It is expected to be available in clinics and pharmacies starting in is a common condition affecting most adults over 40, making it harder to focus on close objects. People often rely on reading glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at close works by using aceclidine to narrow the pupil, creating a 'pinhole effect' similar to a camera lens adjustment. This increases depth of focus without blurring distance vision or causing the 'zoomed-in' effect seen with some previous late-stage clinical trials, results appeared within 30 minutes, peaked at three hours and lasted for as long as 10 hours. According to the company, 71 percent of participants could read at least three more lines on a near-vision chart without loss of distance clarity.'This FDA approval represents a disruptive paradigm shift in treatment options for millions of people who are frustrated and struggling with the inevitable age-related loss of their near vision,' said Vizz clinical investigator Marc Bloomenstein, from Schwartz Laser Eye Care Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., in a statement.'I believe this will be a welcome solution for both optometrists and ophthalmologists who will now be able to offer a highly effective and sought-after presbyopia treatment that could immediately become the standard of care, with a product profile that will meet our patients' side effects reported in trials included temporary dim vision, mild eye irritation and headaches. The FDA advises patients to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until vision clears after using the drops and to be cautious in low-light Therapeutics says the drops will be available by prescription only.
Global News
4 days ago
- Health
- Global News
No more reading glasses? New FDA-approved eye drops can fix your near vision
A new prescription eye drop that could potentially allow many people to put down their reading glasses has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Known as Vizz, manufactured by pharmaceutical company Lenz, the once-daily drops treat age-related blurry near vision — also known as presbyopia — for up to 10 hours at a time. While it's not a permanent solution, users may not have to consistently keep reading glasses nearby or put in contact lenses every day. Presbyopia is a common condition found in many people, particularly those over the age of 40, who begin to have difficulty reading words up close as their vision begins to deteriorate with age. Often, they will begin using reading glasses or contact lenses, holding books, phones and other small print farther away, or even increasing the light and font on their screens to see more clearly. Story continues below advertisement According to the manufacturer, Vizz works with the help of a chemical called aceclidine, which creates a 'pinhole effect' in the eye, narrowing the pupil in a way similar to a camera lens, which brings close-up objects and text into clearer focus. Unlike previously released eye drops that also help reduce presbyopia by affecting the focusing muscles of the eye, Vizz won't cause a 'zoomed-in' effect or blur distance vision, the company says. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Plus, it claims their newly approved drops don't cause adverse side effects like brow heaviness due to ciliary muscle activation. That's not to say Vizz eye drops don't come with any side effects. The FDA guidance says users 'may experience temporary dim or dark vision after instillation,' and warns against driving or operating heavy machinery with blurred vision. There's also a warning to exercise caution while driving at night or participating in other activities in low light. Story continues below advertisement There have also been rare cases of retinal tears and detachments when using miotics, especially in those with pre-existing retinal disease. A certain percentage of patients who used the drug during clinical trials experienced eye irritation (20 per cent) and headache (13 per cent). 'This FDA approval represents a disruptive paradigm shift in treatment options for millions of people who are frustrated and struggling with the inevitable age-related loss of their near vision,' said Vizz clinical investigator Marc Bloomenstein, from Schwartz Laser Eye Care Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., in a statement. 'I believe this will be a welcome solution for both optometrists and ophthalmologists who will now be able to offer a highly effective and sought-after presbyopia treatment that could immediately become the standard of care, with a product profile that will meet our patients' needs.' Global News has reached out to Health Canada to ask whether the agency was looking to approve Vizz for Canadians, but did not hear back as of press time. A report from Eyes on Eyecare released earlier this summer says that Lenz Therapeutics announced an exclusive licence and commercialization agreement with Théa — a European pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of ophthalmic products — to help bring Vizz to Canada. So far, they say, no timeline has been established. Story continues below advertisement The drug is expected to be broadly available in the U.S. by October of this year. The Canadian Association of Optometrists calls presbyopia a 'natural consequence of aging' that becomes noticeable as the eye loses elasticity and flexibility, usually first presenting between the ages of 40 and 45. It typically progresses until the late 40s or early 50s. Statistics collected by Eye Health Central estimate that approximately 1.8 billion people are living with the condition, with data showing it's more common in North America; however, better access to eye exams in Canada and the United States could be driving the numbers up.
