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The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first eye drop designed to treat presbyopia, which is a common age-related condition that causes near vision to blur. The once-daily drops, sold under the brand name Vizz, were developed by California-based LENZ Therapeutics and are expected to be available in US pharmacies starting in October.
Presbyopia affects an estimated 128 million Americans. This becomes noticeable in the mid-40s as the eye’s natural lens loses flexibility. The condition makes it harder to read up close and forces people to rely on reading glasses, contact lenses, or larger print and brighter lighting.
“Presbyopes often experience an abrupt change in their daily life as the symptoms become more pronounced,” LENZ said. They note that the drops could reduce dependence on corrective eyewear for many.
Unlike reading glasses, which magnify text, Vizz works by narrowing the pupil of the eye. Its aceclidine-based formulation creates a “pinhole effect,” which helps near focus without disrupting distance vision.
The company claims the drop begins working within 30 minutes and provides clear near vision for up to 10 hours. Targeting the pupil rather than overstimulating the eye’s focusing muscles allows the drug to avoid side effects like brow heaviness or the “zoomed-in” sensation reported with previous treatments.
Clinical investigator Dr. Marc Bloomenstein described the approval as a “disruptive paradigm shift” in presbyopia care, and says the drop might become a standard treatment option.
However, FDA documents caution that users may experience temporary dim or dark vision after applying the drops, and advise against driving or operating heavy machinery until vision stabilizes.
More serious risks, though rare, include retinal tears or detachments, particularly among patients with existing retinal conditions. In clinical trials, about 20% of participants reported eye irritation and 13% reported headaches.
LENZ plans to distribute Vizz through pharmacies nationwide as well as online via UpScript, a digital pharmacy service. A prescription will be required.
The cost has been set at $79 for a one-month supply or $198 for a three-month supply.
The company also signed a commercialization agreement with European pharmaceutical firm Théa to expand availability abroad, however no timeline has been announced for the moment.
The drug’s launch is being described as a milestone in ophthalmology, though one that comes with caveats.
For now, Vizz may not replace glasses entirely, but it offers hope for a temporary, non-invasive alternative that could make everyday tasks a little clearer for millions of aging eyes. WaL
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