This new eye drop could help adults with age-related vision issues
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A new once-a-day eye drop that can combat blurry vision is now commercially available in the United States.
Why it matters: These drops, previously approved by the Food and Drug Administration, could be a nonsurgical option for people who don't want to seek out LASIK or other procedures.
Catch up quick: The FDA originally approved the VIZZ eyedrops in July, and the drugmaker LENZ Therapeutics expected to release samples of the product this fall.
- Christian Pflaumer, a spokesperson for LENZ, told Axios in an email Thursday that the product is now available commercially in the U.S. after the company originally expected them to be available sometime before the end of the year.
- The drops specifically combat presbyopia, a naturally occurring and age-related blurry vision issue affecting hundreds of millions of people.
Here's what to know about the eye drops.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a fairly common condition that occurs between 40 and 50 years old, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- It causes the loss of the ability to focus on nearby objects, making it hard to read a book or hold a newspaper farther away than needed, the CDC says.
- Like other refractive errors, presbyopia requires eyeglasses, contact lenses, or possibly surgery, per the CDC.
- Presbyopia generally isn't a top reason for LASIK surgery since reading glasses are a typical quick fix.
What are VIZZ eye drops?
Zoom in: The VIZZ eye drops — formally titled VIZZ 1.44% — are another potential fix for those suffering from age-related vision issues.
- The drops are made of an aceclidine ophthalmic solution, which "is a new chemical entity in the United States and its FDA approval marks a global first in the treatment of presbyopia," LENZ Therapeutics says.
- The solution forces the iris sphincter muscle to relax and contract, creating a pinhole effect that increases the depth of focus and improves near vision, the company says.
How the eye drops work
How it works: The VIZZ solution can start working within 30 minutes, the drugmaker says.
- One drop in each eye can help someone with blurry vision for up to 10 hours, meaning they might not have to wear reading glasses, for example, drugmaker LENZ Therapeutics says.
- The eye drops are taken once a day and require a prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
How much do they cost?
By the numbers: VIZZ is currently priced at $79 a month for 25 doses, or $198 for three months, 75 doses, per the product's website. This applies to people receiving VIZZ via e-pharmacy, a company spokesperson said.
- Prices can vary depending on the pharmacy, a spokesperson said.
Are there side effects?
The most common side effects included instillation site irritation, dim vision and headache, the drugmaker LENZ says.
- The ingredient aceclidine comes with its own batch of potential side effects, per Mayo Clinic, including eye irritation, headache and redness of the white part of the eye or inside of eyelids.
- Other potential symptoms include blurred vision, eye pain, seeing flashes or sparks of light, sensitivity to light and overly watering eyes.
Other products FDA approved for presbyopia
The FDA has green-lit other products to fight presbyopia.
- Pilocarpine HCL 1.25% solution, which was approved in 2021, led to vision improvement 15 minutes after application and lasted for six hours, the AbbVie and its Allergan subsidiary announced.
- Pilocarpine hydrochloride solution from the drugmaker Orasis was approved by the FDA in 2023. The solution showed efficacy 20 minutes after administration and could last up to eight hours.
FDA's concern with eye drops
The FDA is frequently on watch for any possible risks or side effects related to eye drops.
- In March 2023, select eye drops were recalled over worries the products may not be sterile, Axios previously reported.
- Weeks later, federal health officials announced deaths linked to eye drops.
- In October 2023, the FDA warned consumers to stop using and avoid purchasing 27 over-the-counter eye drop products due to concerns of "potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness."
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