Medication Treatment for Presbyopia, Practical Experience

Relevance. Presbyopia is a decrease in the amplitude of accommodation, when it can no longer provide comfortable work at the required working distance. In the context of progressive aging of the population, uncorrected presbyopia leads to economic losses due to decreased labor productivity. The pathogenesis of presbyopia is associated with an increase in the thickness and density of the lens, the accumulation of cross-links between crystallin proteins and a decrease in the elasticity of the capsule, which leads to a loss of the ability of the lens to change shape to provide accommodation. Pharmacological treatment of presbyopia can be an alternative for those who want a scenario without glasses and surgery. There are two main pharmacological strategies for correcting presbyopia: increasing the depth of focus (myoptics) and increasing the amplitude of accommodation (drugs that preserve the elasticity of the lens). One of the drugs that can affect the preservation of the elasticity of the lens is pirenoxine. Purpose: to gain experience in using Pirenoxine (Catalin) to prevent the development and progression of presbyopia. Materials and methods: An experimental group of 20 patients (14 women and 6 men) was recruited, to whom Catalin was prescribed according to the scheme: 4–5 times a day. The average age of the subjects was 45.4 years. The amplitude of absolute accommodation was determined; the reserve of relative accommodation was determined and addition was determined in two ways. A repeat study was conducted 8 months after the start of treatment. Results. As a result of the study, the volume and reserve of accommodation did not decrease, as did the amount of addition. The data obtained are comparable with the results of other similar studies. It can be assumed that against the background of the use of pirenoxine, the elastic properties of the lens and accommodative capabilities are preserved in the studied age group. Conclusion. A pharmacological strategy for the treatment and prevention of presbyopia aimed at maintaining the elasticity of the lens by instilling drops of pirenoxine is safe and promising.

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