Eyedrops Instead of Reading Glasses
Is Vuity a revolutionary new eye treatment to help reading glasses wearers over 45 years of age?
How does VUITY work?
It uses an old ingredient used by Optometrists and Ophthalmologists for decades called Pilocarpine.
A Parasympathomimetic drug that causes the pupil to get smaller (Miosis), giving rise to the pinhole effect. Reducing blur and bringing small detail especially print being read into focus.
The manufacturer claims its effects last for up to six hours for reading and up to 10 hours using a computer.
The approval process didn’t measure perfect clear acuity, but a measured improvement of three lines or better on the measuring chart. Which may not meet everyone's expectations.
What ingredients are in VUITY?
Each mL of VUITY contains pilocarpine hydrochloride 1.25% (12.5 mg) as the active ingredient, equivalent to 1.06% (10.6 mg) pilocarpine free-base. The preservative is benzalkonium chloride 0.0075%.
What is the cost of VUITY?
A monthly treatment regimen will set you back $80 per month! But that may not be the only cost!
Let us take a closer look at the possible Side Effects
Hypersensitivity Reactions > multifactorial inflammatory reaction, although rare can result in serious harm and even death
Anterior Uveitis can result in permanent sight loss.
Secondary Glaucomas
Anterior Synachae
Cautions of VUITY to Consider
Due to the continual daily use and the possibility of increased day to day dosage, systemic reactions are more likely to occur.
Driving at night and reduced awareness in dim or dark conditions
Caution is particularly advised in patients with acute heart failure, bronchial asthma, peptic ulceration, hypertension, urinary tract obstruction and Parkinson's disease (Optometrists Formulary)
Tips to Reduce Systemic Absorption
Compressing the lacrimal sac at the medial canthus during, and for 2–3 minutes after instillation of the drops. This blocks the main route back into the body.
Retinal Detachments can occur in those with pre-existing retinal disease or injury
Contact lenses must not be worn during treatment and advised to not reinsert until at least 15 minutes after use
Ocular side effects include:
- transient burning
- transient stinging
- tearing
- induced myopia
- ciliary spasm
- conjunctival vascular congestion
- follicular conjunctivitis
- reduced acuity in low illumination
- retinal detachment.
General side effects include:
- headaches
- hypertension
- tachycardia
- bronchial spasm
- salivation
- sweating
- nausea.
Preservatives in VUITY
Exposure to preservatives in the medication can also trigger allergic reactions and occur at anytime during the therapy
Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface.
Should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised. Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.
Conclusion
Vuity is not a new medication. It is an old drop medication repackaged and marketed to cash in on a huge market of reading glasses wearers over the age of 45.
The treatment that may set you back $1,000 a year and not deliver a clear picture, may not meet millions of customer expectations after the marketing hype and click-bait style headlines disappear.
It's cheif competition being a $1 pair of reading glasses that gives clear vision and a far less risky healthier option to read.
For now, the jury is out, but, we would recommend sticking to more reliable safer alternatives until a better solution comes along in the future.
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