VIZZ is a newly FDA-approved presbyopia eye drop. Here’s what you need to know about how it works, its safety profile, and availability in Canada.
VIZZ Eye Drops: The New Presbyopia Treatment
In July 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved VIZZ, a new prescription eye drop for presbyopia — the age-related loss of near vision that usually starts in your 40s.
Manufactured by Lenz Therapeutics, VIZZ promises up to 10 hours of clearer near vision with a single daily drop oai_citation:0‡No more reading glasses_ New FDA-approved eye drops can fix your near vision - National _ Globalnews.ca.pdf.
How VIZZ Works
The active ingredient, aceclidine, is a parasympathetic agonist. It works by stimulating the eye’s pupil sphincter muscle to constrict, producing a pinhole effect.
This narrows the pupil, increasing depth of focus and making near objects clearer — much like stopping down a camera lens.
Unlike some other presbyopia drops, VIZZ is marketed as not causing a strong “zoomed-in” effect or blurring distance vision oai_citation:1‡No more reading glasses_ New FDA-approved eye drops can fix your near vision - National _ Globalnews.ca.pdf.
Safety and Side Effects
Like pilocarpine (used in the competing drop Vuity), aceclidine is not new. Both were once used to treat glaucoma in the 1970s but fell out of favour due to side effects and newer, more effective glaucoma medications.
Reported side effects include:
- Burning or stinging on instillation
- Dim or dark vision immediately after use
- Headache
- Eye redness
Rare but serious risks:
There have been reports over decades of retinal tears and detachments with miotic (pupil-constricting) drops, especially in patients with high myopia (longer eyes already at higher risk for retinal breaks).
Although aceclidine-specific reports are limited, caution is warranted.
Availability in Canada
As of now, VIZZ is only FDA-approved in the United States. It is not yet approved by Health Canada.
Lenz Therapeutics has partnered with Théa, a European company, to bring VIZZ to Canada in the future — but no timeline is available.
Alternatives for Presbyopia
While drops like VIZZ and Vuity are trending, they are not permanent solutions. Other management options include:
- Reading glasses or progressive lenses
- Contact lenses (multifocal or monovision)
- Myopia or presbyopia management strategies as they evolve
Your optometrist can help you compare the options and decide what fits your lifestyle.
Bottom Line
VIZZ represents an exciting new tool for managing presbyopia — but it comes with caveats.
It’s FDA-approved, but not yet available in Canada. Side effects and long-term safety are still under close watch.
If you’re interested in emerging presbyopia treatments, talk to your optometrist about the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
For now, the safest and most effective options remain glasses and contact lenses tailored to your vision needs.