Vision Correction via FDA-Approved Eye Drops Eliminates Need for Reading Glasses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new prescription eye drop called Vizz, manufactured by pharmaceutical company Lenz. This innovative treatment is set to be a welcome solution for optometrists and ophthalmologists, offering a new, nonsurgical, once-daily option for adults living with presbyopia, a condition that affects approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide, including a significant number in North America.
How Vizz Works
Vizz treats age-related blurry near vision, also known as presbyopia, by gently narrowing the pupil to create a "pinhole effect." This results in close-up objects and text becoming clearer, without blurring distance vision. Unlike previously released eye drops, Vizz won't cause a "zoomed-in" effect, making it a significant shift in treatment options for presbyopia.
Potential Side Effects
Clinical trials involving over 30,000 treatment days showed Vizz to be well-tolerated with no serious adverse events. However, users should watch for symptoms like flashing lights, floaters, or sudden vision loss, which require immediate medical attention. There's also a warning to exercise caution while driving at night or participating in other activities in low light when using Vizz, as users may experience temporary dim or dark vision after instillation.
Availability and Release Date
Vizz is expected to be broadly available in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2025. Regarding Canada, no specific information on its approval or release date was found in the current sources, so availability there may depend on Health Canada approval timelines and is not yet confirmed.
A Potential Standard of Care
With minimal side effects and a duration of up to 10 hours, Vizz could become the standard of care for presbyopia treatment. The agreement between Lenz Therapeutics and Théa to bring Vizz to Canada further underscores its potential impact.
Better access to eye exams in Canada and the United States could be driving the numbers of presbyopia cases up, making treatments like Vizz even more crucial. While there have been rare cases of retinal tears and detachments when using miotics, especially in those with pre-existing retinal disease, Vizz does not cause adverse side effects like brow heaviness due to ciliary muscle activation, according to the manufacturer.
For those tired of relying on reading glasses or contact lenses, Vizz allows users to potentially put them down for up to 10 hours at a time. This new treatment offers a glimmer of hope for those living with presbyopia, providing a much-needed alternative to surgery.
- The new eye drop, Vizz, approved by the FDA, offers a significant shift in the treatment options for presbyopia, a condition affecting 1.8 billion people globally.
- This innovative treatment works by gently narrowing the pupil to create a pinhole effect, improving near vision without affecting distance vision.
- Vizz has demonstrated minimal side effects during clinical trials involving over 30,000 treatment days, although users should be aware of potential symptoms such as flashing lights, floaters, or vision loss that require immediate medical attention.
- The agreement between Lenz Therapeutics and Théa to bring Vizz to Canada suggests its potential to become the standard of care for presbyopia treatment.
- For those who find reading glasses or contact lenses inconvenient, Vizz's ability to provide clear near vision for up to 10 hours at a time offers a much-needed alternative to surgery.
- As better access to eye exams in both the US and Canada may drive up presbyopia cases, treatments like Vizz are becoming even more crucial for managing this condition.
