What is it, and why does it matter?
Vizz (aceclidine ophthalmic solution) is a new prescription eye drop approved to treat presbyopia, a common condition that makes it harder to see things up close as you get older. It's the first and only eye drop in the U.S. that uses aceclidine, a new type of medicine for this purpose.
Vizz works by gently narrowing the size of your pupil. This creates a pinhole effect that helps you focus better on nearby objects without blurring your distance vision. A single daily dose can provide a quick improvement in your near vision that can last for up to 10 hours.
Presbyopia usually starts in your mid-40s and affects nearly 128 million adults in the U.S. Many people use prescription reading glasses or contact lenses to manage it. Vizz offers a new nonsurgical option that doesn't require wearing glasses.
Why was it approved?
The FDA approved Vizz after reviewing results from three clinical studies that looked at how well it worked and how safe it was. In these studies, people who used Vizz once a day were able to see things up close much better within 30 minutes, and the effect lasted for up to 10 hours. These results were seen across different groups of people.
Vizz was generally well tolerated. No serious side effects linked to the treatment were reported during the studies, which included more than 30,000 days of use. The most common side effects were mild and went away on their own. These included irritation at the site where the drop was applied, dim or dark vision, headache, and red eyes.
What do I need to know?
Vizz is a once-daily eye drop that comes in single-use vials and doesn't contain preservatives. You apply it directly to your eye. It's expected to be available in the U.S. starting October 2025, with wider access by the end of the year.
You shouldn't use Vizz if you're allergic to any of its ingredients. After using the drop, your vision may be dim or dark for a short time. Don't drive or use machines until your vision returns to normal.
If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using Vizz and wait at least 10 minutes before putting them back in. If you use other eye drops, wait at least five minutes between each one.
While putting in the eye drops, make sure that the tip of the bottle does not touch your eyes or any other surface. This will help avoid infecting or injuring your eyes. Throw away the opened vial right after you use it.
Call your eye health care provider right away if you notice flashing lights, floaters, or sudden vision loss after using Vizz. These could be signs of a more serious issue. Vizz may be a good option if you want to manage presbyopia without glasses, but it's not the right choice for everyone.