A new eye drop called AGN-190584 is expected to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year and could eliminate the need for reading glasses. Made by Allergen Eye Care, a division of AbbVie, the pilocarpine solution which is meant to treat the symptoms of presbyopia—an age-related condition that causes gradual loss of the eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects. Participants in a study of the drug found they gained three more lines on the reading chart in low light compared to those who received a placebo. The drops begin working as soon as just 15 minutes after they were applied and reached their peak effectiveness after about an hour. For glaucoma, pilocarpine improves the outflow of fluid from the eye that lowers the intraocular pressure. With presbyopia patients, it’s being used to constrict the pupil.
