Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 6, 2025
05:46
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity
Published on: September 20, 2024
610
Pharmacological strategies for treating presbyopia
Betina Orman1, Giovanna Benozzi1,2
1Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Farmacología.
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|May 11, 2021
Summary
New pharmacological treatments offer a promising, noninvasive approach to presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). These innovative eyedrop therapies aim to improve near vision by targeting lens elasticity and accommodation, expanding treatment options beyond glasses and surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Vision Science
Background:
- Presbyopia is the natural loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects.
- Current treatments include glasses, contact lenses, and surgery.
- Pharmacological treatments represent a novel, noninvasive therapeutic avenue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in pharmacological treatments for presbyopia.
- To update on new noninvasive options for age-related farsightedness.
Main Methods:
- Review of current pharmacological strategies for presbyopia.
- Analysis of treatments targeting miosis, lens elasticity, and accommodation rehabilitation.
Main Results:
- Three primary pharmacological strategies are emerging: inducing miosis for a pinhole effect, restoring lens elasticity, and rehabilitating accommodation.
- These treatments involve various eyedrop compositions tailored to specific strategies.
- Many pharmacological options are expected to reach the market soon.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacological treatments offer a new, diverse set of options for presbyopia management.
- Successful outcomes depend on appropriate patient selection for each strategy.
- These noninvasive eyedrop therapies hold significant promise for improving uncorrected near visual acuity.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
783
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
783
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye
3.7K
Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
3.7K
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
918
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
918
01:11Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
1.2K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists have many therapeutic uses in various medical fields. Choline esters, including acetylcholine, have limited clinical utility due to their non-selectivity and short duration of action. Still, acetylcholine and carbachol are applied topically during ophthalmologic surgery to induce miosis. Pilocarpine, a muscarinic and ganglionic stimulator, effectively treats open-angle glaucoma and alleviates xerostomia and dry mouth caused by radiotherapy or Sjögren...
1.2K
00:59Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
1.9K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists exert their pharmacological actions by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine on postsynaptic muscarinic receptors to generate parasympathetic responses. These agents elicit a range of physiological responses, including cardiovascular effects. For example, activation of muscarinic receptors induces bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, reduced peripheral resistance, and consequent hypotension. In the eye, stimulation of M3 receptors leads to smooth muscle...
1.9K
01:31Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics
1.5K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists, such as synthetic choline esters and naturally occurring alkaloids, exert their effects by enhancing the actions of acetylcholine and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Synthetic choline esters share structural similarities with acetylcholine. For example, they have a positively charged quaternary ammonium or onium group, contributing to their hydrophilic characteristics. As a result, they are poorly absorbed in the body through oral...
1.5K