New eye drops offer a temporary solution for ageing eyesight

New eye drops offer a promising temporary solution for reading glasses and have been approved for use in the US.

A new treatment for presbyopia, or aging eyes, could soon be used in Australia to help when people lose their reading glasses.

Vuity is an everyday eye drop that contains the active ingredient pilocarpine.

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Scientists have discovered pilocarpine can target the muscles that trigger the common condition which is similar to long-sightedness.

The drop has been in use to treat glaucoma for some time.

Dr Patrick Versace said it is an "amazing breakthrough".

"So you can put the drop in your eye, it constricts the pupil and suddenly things become better focused," he said.

Around 60 per cent of Australians admit their eyesight has decreased with age.

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From around 40 years old, presbyopia can affect all Australians, impacting their ability to focus over time.

The lens of the eye becomes thicker as we age, which makes it harder to decipher objects or read things close up.

Glasses, implants or laser surgery are the current options to assist with presbyopia.

"If you can use an eye drop, this is a very attractive option compared to surgery," an opthalmologist said.

"The downside of course is the drops are not 100 per cent effective."

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The eye drop is best for mild to moderate cases or for patients with early-onset presbyopia between the ages of 44 and 55.

The eye drop has been approved for use in the US and is available by prescription.

It is yet to be approved in Australia.