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3. One Drop That Could Replace Reading Glasses: Is Presbyopia’s End in Sight?

A single eye drop may soon make reading glasses a thing of the past. By the end of 2025, a new treatment for presbyopia promises to restore near vision without surgery or hassle. But can it fully deliver on that promise?

For millions over the age of 45, reaching for reading glasses has become second nature, whether to check a label, scroll a phone, or enjoy a novel. Now, a simple daily drop could bring clear, effortless near vision. By the end of 2025, this innovation could transform the daily lives of millions with presbyopia, promising to consign reading glasses to a drawer.

A Drop That Changes Everything

The science is simple: within minutes of instilling a drop in each eye, near vision sharpens for several hours. The secret lies in a molecule that gently contracts the pupil, creating a natural pinhole effect. This increases depth of focus, making nearby objects crisp again without affecting distance vision.

Clinical trials in the US have shown striking results: improved near vision in under 30 minutes, with effects lasting up to ten hours. That’s enough to cover a full day of work, reading, or leisure; no glasses required. Side effects remain rare and mild: dimmer vision in low light, slight irritation, or a temporary headache.

In early August 2025, the US FDA approved VIZZ, presbyopia drops developed by Lenz Therapeutics. It is not the first attempt: a pilocarpine-based solution launched a few years ago, but it offered limited tolerance and short-lived results. This time, progress comes from balance: clear near vision, good safety, preserved distance vision. And no surgery or complex lenses: just one drop, as simple as brushing your teeth in the morning.

A Huge Market but with Limits

The potential is huge. Over 1.5 billion adults worldwide live with presbyopia. Until recently, reading glasses were the universal solution: simple, effective, yet often regarded as an inconvenience or a reminder of aging. This drop could offer a discreet, temporary, yet liberating alternative.

Still, expectations should be tempered. It is not a miracle cure for everyone. Those with advanced presbyopia or other eye diseases may not be eligible. And the drops require daily use, more like sunscreen or moisturizing eye drops than a permanent fix.

US launch is expected in fall 2025, with broader availability by year’s end. Europe awaits regulatory approval, but given strong enthusiasm from doctors and patients, rapid adoption seems likely once authorized.

Beyond convenience, this innovation raises questions about how we perceive age and vision. Can we truly leave glasses behind? For some, it means comfort and freedom: reading, cooking, or tinkering without reliance on an accessory. For others, daily routine, prescription requirements, and cost may remain barriers.

Perhaps the real breakthrough is symbolic: presbyopia is no longer an unavoidable fate but a condition science can at least partly tame. Within months, millions may get the chance to try this drop and, for the first time, take a fresh look at the future… without reaching for their glasses.