Special eye drops may offer a future alternative to reading glasses for people with age-related vision loss. At a major eye conference in Copenhagen, researchers shared results showing that drops made with pilocarpine and diclofenac improved near vision in more than 700 patients, with benefits lasting up to two years.

Within just one hour of using the drops, patients could read about three extra lines on an eye chart. Nearly everyone in the 1% concentration group reached clear near vision. The treatment worked for different severities of presbyopia, with stronger doses helping those with more advanced vision loss. Side effects were mostly mild, such as brief dim vision or headaches, and no serious problems were reported.

Experts say the drops could be especially helpful for people who are not candidates for surgery. However, larger and longer studies are needed to confirm safety before they can be widely used. If proven successful, this therapy could give millions of older adults a convenient alternative to glasses.