‘A single drop of eye drops temporarily eliminates presbyopia.’

A recently developed eye drop product by a domestic pharmaceutical company has become a hot topic on social networking services (SNS). It is said that a single drop of the eye drops can improve vision to the extent that reading glasses are unnecessary. This is welcome news for middle-aged individuals who frequently use smartphones throughout the day. The product, containing the ingredient 'Pilocarpine 1%', will be released on the 23rd. An interview was conducted with Ji Yong-hoon, an ophthalmologist and CEO of Daewoo Pharmaceutical, who directly developed the medication, to explore the truths and misconceptions about presbyopia eye drops.

―When does presbyopia occur….

“The onset of presbyopia varies for each individual, but it generally occurs around the age of 40 for women and around 50 for men, progressing gradually. Recently, the phenomenon of 'early presbyopia' has been notable in the 30s and 40s due to the increased use of digital devices like smartphones.”

―How does the drug's efficacy occur?

“Pilocarpine, originally used as a treatment for glaucoma, works by contracting the iris sphincter muscle to make the pupil smaller. This is similar to how squinting helps to see blurred objects or small text more clearly. Through this pinhole effect, objects appear sharper. Although products containing pilocarpine were released in the United States a few years ago, they have not been imported into Korea.”

―Can nearsighted individuals dispense with glasses by using the eye drops?

“No, it is not a treatment for nearsightedness. It temporarily improves presbyopia. When one drop is applied to each eye, the effect lasts for about six hours. It is similar to the effect of wearing multifocal glasses for reading. Individuals in their 40s and 50s, who are actively engaged in work, use reading glasses to see nearby objects. However, using the eye drops temporarily alleviates this inconvenience.”

―What is the extent of the effect?

“It varies from person to person. Generally, it makes blurred text somewhat clearer. If expectations are too high, there might be disappointment. However, many have mentioned that it is convenient as it eliminates the hassle of putting on and taking off glasses in daily life.”

―Are there any side effects….

“This medication has been available for nearly 100 years, which attests to its verified safety. However, temporary stinging and redness may occur when applying the eye drops, and headaches may rarely occur.”

―How can it be purchased?

“It is a prescription medication that requires a doctor's prescription. After a medical consultation, one can obtain a prescription and purchase it at a pharmacy. A month's supply costs about KRW 36,000. As there are various methods for treating presbyopia, it is advised to consult a specialist to choose the treatment that best suits the individual before use.”

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