How VIZZ is Changing the Game for 128 Million Americans Struggling with Presbyopia

Presbyopia affects nearly everyone as they age. Starting in the mid-40s, the crystalline lens in the eye gradually hardens, making it impossible to focus on nearby objects. By age 50, most people lose an average of 1.5 lines of near vision every six years. This isn’t just an inconvenience—it impacts daily life, from reading a phone screen to checking a price tag to enjoying activities without corrective aids.

The FDA’s First Aceclidine-Based Solution Arrives

LENZ Therapeutics has just announced that VIZZ (aceclidine ophthalmic solution) 1.44% is now available in the United States. This marks a significant milestone: VIZZ is the first and only FDA-approved eye drop using aceclidine technology to improve near vision in adults with presbyopia. The company has already initiated nationwide sample distribution to optometrists and ophthalmologists, with commercial shipments to consumers beginning in October. Full retail availability is expected by mid-Q4 2025.

How VIZZ Works: The Pinhole Effect Explained

Unlike other treatments, VIZZ operates through a unique mechanism of action. The aceclidine compound is a predominantly pupil-selective miotic that interacts with the iris while causing minimal stimulation to the ciliary muscle. When administered, VIZZ contracts the iris sphincter muscle, creating what’s known as a pinhole effect. This optical phenomenon extends the depth of focus, allowing the eye to see near objects clearly without causing a myopic shift—a key advantage over other options.

Clinical Results That Speak for Themselves

The CLARITY Phase 3 clinical trial demonstrated impressive outcomes. Within just 30 minutes of administration, 93% of participants achieved 20/40 or better near vision. More importantly, this level of clarity lasted for up to 10 hours, enabling users to read fine print, navigate their phones, and perform close-up work without reading glasses for an entire day.

Safety and Side Effects to Know

VIZZ is a preservative-free, single-dose eye drop administered once daily. The most common adverse reactions reported during trials were mild and temporary. Instillation site irritation occurred in 20% of participants, dim vision in 16%, and headache in 13%. Conjunctival and ocular hyperemia were reported in 7-8% of cases. The majority of these reactions were self-resolving and did not require intervention.

Users should be aware that temporary dim or dark vision may occur after dosing, so driving or operating machinery is not recommended until vision clears. Contact lenses should be removed before use and can be reinserted 10 minutes after application.

Reaching 1.8 Billion People Globally

LENZ Therapeutics estimates that approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide experience presbyopia, with 128 million in the United States alone. The company is pursuing international licensing partnerships to expand VIZZ availability beyond the U.S. market.

“We’re giving people living with presbyopia a simple, fast-acting way to see up close again,” said Shawn Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of LENZ Therapeutics. “It’s about restoring everyday confidence and freedom in their near vision.”

For detailed prescribing information and safety data, visit www.VIZZ.com.