Hello! For those of you who are interested in the scientific details behind the new presbyopia eye drop (to increase focusing ability without reading glasses), here is a bit more info:
Meet Vuity.
Allergan received early FDA approval for the first and only eye drop to treat presbyopia.
Tell me more.
Vuity (view-eh-tee) is an optimized formulation of pilocarpine (1.25%) delivered with proprietary pHast technology that allows Vuity to rapidly adjust to the physiologic pH of the tear film.
How does this drop work?
Pilocarpine is a cholinergic muscarinic agonist that activates muscarinic receptors located at smooth muscles such as the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles. Vuity contracts the iris sphincter muscle, constricting the pupil to improve near and intermediate visual acuity while maintaining some pupillary response to light. Vuity also contracts the ciliary muscle and may shift the eye to a more myopic state.
What is the dosing?
Vuity is a once daily prescription eye drop that works in as quickly as 15 minutes and lasts up to 6 hours to improve near and intermediate vision without affecting distance vision.
And the clinical trials?
The FDA approval of Vuity is based on data from two pivotal phase 3 clinical studies, GEMINI 1 and GEMINI 2, which evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Vuity for the treatment of presbyopia. In both studies, Vuity met the primary endpoint, reaching statistical significance in improvement in near vision in low light conditions without a loss of distance vision compared with placebo on day 30 at hour 3.
Any adverse events?
The most common adverse events (>5%) were headache and eye redness.
Any info on the cost of the drop?
No pricing information has been released yet, but it will be a cash pay drop available at most brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
When can I prescribe this?
No word yet on when we will be able to prescribe this drop. Stay tuned for details!