In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved VIZZ (aceclidine ophthalmic solution 1.44%) for the treatment of presbyopia in adults. Presbyopia, an age-related condition characterized by reduced near vision, affects millions of individuals over the age of 40.
VIZZ represents a novel pharmacologic approach to manage this condition without the need for reading glasses or invasive procedures.
VIZZ FDA Approval: 31st July, 2025
Indications of VIZZ:
VIZZ is indicated for the treatment of presbyopia in adults.
Dosage and Administration
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Recommended Dose: Instill one drop in each eye, wait 2 minutes, then instill a second drop in each eye once daily from the same single-dose vial.
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Contact Lenses: Remove before instillation; lenses may be reinserted 10 minutes after dosing.
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Multiple Ophthalmic Products: If using more than one, separate administrations by at least 5 minutes.
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Storage: Discard the vial after single use to prevent contamination.
Dosage Form and Strength
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Formulation: Ophthalmic solution
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Strength: Aceclidine 1.44% (supplied in single-dose vials)
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Appearance: Clear to opalescent, colorless to slightly yellow solution
Warnings and Precautions
VIZZ, like other miotic agents, carries specific safety concerns:
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Blurred Vision
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Temporary dim or dark vision may occur.
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Caution advised when driving, especially at night.
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Risk of Retinal Tear/Detachment
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Rare cases reported with miotics.
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Baseline retinal examination recommended before therapy.
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Urgent evaluation required if flashing lights, floaters, or sudden vision loss occur.
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Iritis
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May exacerbate ocular inflammation in patients with prior history.
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Hypersensitivity
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Avoid use in patients with known allergy to aceclidine or formulation components.
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Contact Lens Use
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Remove lenses before dosing; wait 10 minutes before reinsertion.
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Risk of Contamination or Injury
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Avoid touching vial tip to eye or other surfaces.
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Side Effects of VIZZ:
VIZZ was studied in over 600 participants with presbyopia across multiple phase 3 trials.
Most Common Adverse Events:
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Instillation site irritation – 20%
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Dim vision – 16%
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Headache – 13%
Other Reactions (>5%):
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Conjunctival hyperemia – 8%
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Ocular hyperemia – 7%
Most side effects were mild, transient, and self-resolving.
Table: Key Clinical Information on VIZZ
Category | Details |
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Indication | Presbyopia in adults |
Dosage | 1 drop per eye, wait 2 min, then 1 more drop; once daily |
Formulation | Ophthalmic solution, 1.44% aceclidine |
Contraindications | None identified |
Warnings | Blurred vision, retinal tear/detachment, iritis, hypersensitivity, contact lens caution, contamination risk |
Common Adverse Effects | Instillation site irritation (20%), dim vision (16%), headache (13%) |
Other Adverse Effects (>5%) | Conjunctival hyperemia (8%), ocular hyperemia (7%) |
Special Populations | No data in pregnancy; not applicable in pediatrics; no differences in geriatrics |
Mechanism of Action | Pupil-selective miotic: contracts iris sphincter → pinhole effect → improved near vision |
Use in Special Populations
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Pregnancy: No adequate human studies; animal studies showed no fetal harm.
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Pediatric: Not applicable (presbyopia does not occur in children).
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Geriatric: No differences in safety or effectiveness compared to younger adults.
Mechanism of Action of VIZZ:
Aceclidine is a cholinergic muscarinic agonist. VIZZ acts primarily as a pupil-selective miotic, stimulating iris sphincter contraction.
This produces a pinhole effect, increasing depth of focus and thereby improving near vision with minimal ciliary muscle involvement.
VIZZ Overdose:
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Topical use: Rare systemic toxicity.
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Symptoms (if absorbed or ingested): Sweating, salivation, nausea, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension.
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Management: Supportive care; IV fluids may help recovery.
Conclusion
VIZZ (aceclidine ophthalmic solution 1.44%) provides a new non-invasive option for adults with presbyopia, offering improved near vision through a pupil-selective miotic mechanism.
While generally well-tolerated, patients should be counseled regarding transient dim vision, potential risks such as retinal detachment, and proper administration techniques to maximize safety and efficacy.