If you find yourself squinting your eyes too often when looking into your phone, reading labels, menus, or even books, it's more likely than not that you suffer from presbyopia. As per a Community Eye Health Journal report, "Presbyopia is the most common cause of vision impairment globally, impacting 1.8 billion people. Almost every person will experience presbyopia if they live into their 50s and beyond". Never mind if you wear glasses or lenses, the pressing reality of this eye condition — which the Mayo Clinic describes as the "gradual loss of your eyes' ability to focus on nearby objects" — sounds nearly unavoidable.
Recommended by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and finally approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the eye drops primary claim that it will eventually eliminate the need for using reading glasses. Speaking about this development, Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO of Entod Pharmaceuticals, told PTI, "This approval from the DCGI is a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionise eye care in India. Entod Pharmaceuticals' PresVu eye drop is more than just a product; it's a solution that can enhance the lives of millions by providing them with greater visual independence."
A similar formulation was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and launched in the US in 2022 under the brand name Vuity. Currently, Vuity remains the only FDA-approved eye drop for treating age-related blurry vision.
With PresVu's launch scheduled for October, there is considerable excitement surrounding its potential. To gain further insight, we consulted Dr. Purendra Bhasin, MBBS, MS in Ophthalmology, and founder and director of Ratan Jyoti Netralaya Ophthalmic Institute & Research Centre, for his expert take on the eye drops' efficacy.
While Dr. Bhasin doesn't overlook the pros of PresVu, he presses on some important points worth consideration when it comes to the longevity of the effects of such a product. He said, "These drops are used and they are to be used regularly. It is available in the US market and now they are launching it in the Indian market also. So it is not like you use it and then you will eventually not require glasses anymore. definitely it is going to help you to some extent...As long as you're going to use it, you're going to get the effect. If you stop using it, the effect will not be there".
The
role of buffer technology and pH balance
It is being said that the eye drops have a sophisticated dynamic buffer technology that enables them to immediately adjust to the pH level of the tears, guaranteeing long-term safety and consistent effectiveness. Tears have a pH of 7.45 on average, however it can vary from 7.14 to 7.82.
Further pressing on how the buffer technology and pH factor, which is being pegged as a major selling point of the eye drops, weighs in here, he said, "The buffering technology and the pH balance they have used, is to make the drops less stringent. The pH balance is not related to the correction of the vision. That will only help in making this more comfortable (for usage)".
Long-Term
Usage and Potential Side Effects
When asked about the possible long-term side effects of consistent use, Dr. Bhasin emphasied the need for larger clinical trials to fully understand any potential risks. He cautioned that while these drops may be beneficial for certain conditions like glaucoma, they should only be used under medical supervision and prescription.
What
exactly is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a natural part of the ageing process where the eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on close objects. It typically becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s and worsens until around age 65. The condition occurs due to the hardening of the lens inside the eye, which makes it difficult to change shape for focusing on near tasks such as reading.
As of now, it can be corrected with reading glasses, bifocal or
progressive lenses, contact lenses, or surgical treatments.
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