‘Brazen’ claims by drug maker trigger curiosity about an old eye condition

‘Brazen’ claims by drug maker trigger curiosity about an old eye condition

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

• A pharmaceutical company has claimed that it its eye drops offers treatment for Presbyopia and can reduce dependency on reading glasses.
• There has been a controversy regarding approval and claims regarding the eye drops.

What is the concern?

• Doctors have expressed concern over pilocarpine, an ingredient in the eye drops that works by constricting the pupil, which they say can have multiple side effects.
• Side effects include headaches, blurred vision and hampered night vision.

About Presbyopia:

• Presbyopia refers to the gradual loss of the eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects.
• It’s a natural part of aging and usually becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s and continues to worsen until around age 65.
• It is a common and universal

Why does presbyopia occur?

• During younger years, the lens in the eyes is soft and flexible. The lens has the ability to change shape, which allows you to focus on things that are both far away and close by.
• With age, flexibility the lens decreases and it becomes rigid and is no longer able to change shape to focus on close-up objects, making them seem out of focus.

Working of eye lens:

• The lens is a transparent, flexible, and curved structure that focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye.
• The lens can change shape with the help of a circular muscle that surrounds it.
• When you look at something at a distance, the lens relaxes and becomes thin.
• When you look at something nearby, the lens contracts and thickens, decreasing the focal length.
• This process is known as accommodation of the lens.

Treatment for Presbyopia:

• There is no way to stop this ageing process, but it can be corrected through glasses, contact lenses or surgery.
• Bifocal, trifocal and progressive lenses are usually used to correct Presbyopia.