Colloquially known as “lao hua” in Singapore, presbyopia is an age-related eye condition whereby the eyes gradually lose the ability to see clearly up close. In fact, the term “presbyopia” originates from a Greek word that literally means “old eyes”!
When we are young, the lenses of our eyes are flexible enough to adjust quickly and focus on objects both near and far alike. The eye achieves this by either contracting or relaxing its lens shape to bring things at varying distances into focus.
For instance, when it comes to nearby items like a mobile phone, the eye will contract the shape of its lens in order to focus on them.
However, as we age, the lens of our eyes become harder and less flexible and can no longer focus on nearby objects as well as they used to, causing our near vision to become blurry.
If presbyopia is the only vision problem one has, the treatment may simply be a good pair of reading glasses and opting for larger font sizes in their reading materials
However, if one has other accompanying vision problems, then reading glasses alone may not suffice; and you may require special bifocal, trifocal or progressive lenses that facilitate vision correction at different viewing distances. Special contact lenses may also be an option.
Some patients may opt for refractive surgery to achieve monovision, whereby one eye is corrected for far vision while the other is corrected for near vision. However, this may not be suitable or recommended for everyone.
Pilocarpine (Vuity) 1.25% is an ophthalmic solution that reduces the size of the pupils and stimulates the eye’s ciliary muscles. This combination allows the eyes to adjust more easily and focus better on nearby objects.
Applied once a day, the effects can last for around six hours; with its effectiveness increasing after 30 days of use. It is not meant to completely eradicate the need for reading glasses, but it does allow you to rely on them less. A main benefit of this is that you do not need to remove your reading glasses when needing to see at distance. When Pilocarpine (Vuity) 1.25% is in effect, you can effortlessly switch between seeing near and far, clearly and naturally.
Finally, Pilocarpine (Vuity) 1.25% is also compatible with the use of regular glasses or contact lenses; so, you can continue to use them as per normal to enhance your vision overall.
Good candidates:
Not suitable:
No. If you have myopia, you will still need glasses or contact lenses for distance correction. The eye drops mainly help with near vision, reducing the need for reading glasses. They are most effective for early presbyopia (about +1.00 to +1.75 add). For higher levels, the benefit is limited.
Other options for combined myopia and presbyopia include progressive glasses, multifocal contact lenses, monovision (one eye corrected for near, one for distance) or surgical monovision.
Yes, but you should not apply the eye drops while wearing lenses. Use the eye drops first, then re-insert your lenses after a short interval. This prevents irritation and ensures proper absorption.
No. Having had LASIK does not interfere with the way Pilocarpine (Vuity) 1.25% eye drops work. Clinical studies show that these eye drops do not compromise distance vision after LASIK.
Most side effects are mild and temporary, and serious complications are uncommon. Your doctor will assess your eye health carefully before prescribing to minimise these risks. The effects typically last 6–10 hours. Most patients use the eye drops once a day, while some may benefit from a second dose.
The cost is about $175 per bottle, which usually lasts at least one month, depending on the frequency of use. These eye drops are not Medisave-claimable.
