Presbyopia is one of the most common vision changes associated with aging, yet it remains one of the most frustrating. For millions of adults, the gradual loss of near vision means relying on reading glasses, juggling contact lenses, or considering invasive procedures just to read a text message or menu. In January 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Yuvezzi, a new prescription eye drop that introduces a noninvasive and long-lasting option for adults with presbyopia.
Yuvezzi, developed by Tenpoint Therapeutics, is the first and only FDA approved dual-agent eye drop specifically designed to treat presbyopia. Its approval marks a significant milestone in vision care and expands the growing category of pharmacologic solutions for age-related near vision loss.
This article explores what presbyopia is, how Yuvezzi works, what the clinical trials showed, safety considerations, and why this approval matters for patients and eye care professionals.
Presbyopia is a natural, age-related condition that affects the eye’s ability to focus on close objects. It typically begins around age 45 and progresses gradually over time. Unlike refractive errors such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, presbyopia occurs because the eye’s crystalline lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to change shape when focusing on nearby tasks.
According to published research, presbyopia affects nearly 128 million people in the United States and approximately two billion people worldwide. As the population ages and remains active later in life, the impact of presbyopia on daily activities continues to grow.
People with presbyopia often struggle with reading small print, using smartphones, working on computers, sewing, cooking, or performing tasks in dim lighting. These challenges can affect productivity, independence, and overall quality of life. Traditional management options include reading glasses, bifocals, contact lenses, and surgical interventions. While effective, these solutions may not suit everyone’s lifestyle or preferences.
Yuvezzi is a prescription ophthalmic solution that combines two active ingredients, carbachol and brimonidine tartrate, in a fixed-dose formulation. It is approved for once-daily use in adults with blurry close-up vision due to age-related presbyopia.
Previously known as Brimochol PF during development, Yuvezzi is the first FDA approved dual-agent eye drop for this condition. It is designed to deliver durability, tolerability, and safety with a single daily dose.
Yuvezzi is expected to become broadly commercially available in the United States in the second quarter of 2026.
The therapeutic effect of Yuvezzi is based on a pharmacologic approach that improves near vision by creating a pinhole effect through controlled pupil constriction.
Carbachol is a cholinergic agent that causes constriction of the iris sphincter and stimulation of the ciliary body. This action leads to miosis, or pupil narrowing, which increases depth of focus.
Brimonidine tartrate is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that inhibits contraction of the iris dilator muscle. It also helps relax tonic contraction of the ciliary muscle, improving pupil selectivity and enhancing the bioavailability of carbachol within the eye.
Together, these two agents work synergistically to sharpen near vision while maintaining tolerability and minimizing unwanted side effects such as excessive redness or discomfort. Yuvezzi begins working within 30 minutes and has been shown to maintain its effect for up to 10 hours with one daily drop.
The FDA approval of Yuvezzi was based on positive results from two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials known as BRIO I and BRIO II. These studies enrolled more than 800 patients and included the largest and longest safety evaluation conducted for presbyopia eye drops to date.
The BRIO I study demonstrated that the combination of carbachol and brimonidine provided a superior benefit compared to each individual active ingredient alone. This finding was a key requirement for FDA approval of a fixed-dose combination product.
The BRIO II study was a vehicle-controlled trial that evaluated both efficacy and safety over a 12-month period. Yuvezzi met all primary endpoints, showing statistically significant improvement of three lines or greater in binocular uncorrected near visual acuity over eight hours.
Importantly, these gains in near vision were achieved without a loss of one line or more in binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity. This balance is critical for patients who want improved near vision without compromising their ability to see clearly at a distance.
Across more than 72,000 treatment days monitored during BRIO II, no treatment-related serious adverse events were observed. This makes BRIO II the longest safety study conducted in presbyopia to date.
Yuvezzi was generally well tolerated in clinical trials. The most commonly reported side effects included headache, impaired vision, and temporary eye pain or irritation.
Notably, eye redness was not a commonly reported side effect. In the BRIO II study, ocular hyperemia occurred in 2.8 percent of patients using Yuvezzi, compared with 10.7 percent in those using carbachol alone.
Patients should not use Yuvezzi if they are allergic to any of its ingredients or if they have active inflammation of the iris, known as iritis. Before starting treatment, patients should inform their doctor if they have depression, low blood pressure, or circulation problems.
Yuvezzi may cause temporary blurry, dim, or dark vision. Patients experiencing these effects should avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing hazardous activities, especially in low-light conditions. Sudden flashes of light, floaters, or vision loss should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
For many adults with presbyopia, existing solutions can feel inconvenient or intrusive. Glasses may be misplaced or forgotten. Contact lenses may cause dryness or discomfort. Surgical options may not be appropriate or appealing.
Yuvezzi offers a noninvasive alternative that fits more seamlessly into modern lifestyles. With once-daily dosing and effects that last through much of the day, it allows people to engage in close-up tasks without constantly reaching for corrective lenses.
Eye care professionals have emphasized the importance of individualized management strategies for presbyopia. Yuvezzi expands the available options and may be particularly valuable for patients seeking flexibility, convenience, and long-term usability.
The approval of Yuvezzi reflects a broader shift toward pharmacologic solutions for common age-related eye conditions. It also underscores the growing recognition that presbyopia has a meaningful impact on quality of life and deserves innovative treatment approaches.
Tenpoint Therapeutics has positioned Yuvezzi as its first major commercial product, with a mission centered on improving vision in the aging eye. By partnering with eye care professionals and focusing on real-world patient needs, the company aims to advance how presbyopia is managed in everyday practice.
Yuvezzi is expected to be widely available by mid-2026 through prescription from qualified eye care providers. Patients interested in this treatment should consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine whether Yuvezzi is appropriate for their individual vision needs and medical history.
As awareness grows and real-world use expands, Yuvezzi may reshape expectations around how presbyopia is treated and managed over time.
Tenpoint Therapeutics, Ltd.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional or eye care provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment for presbyopia or other vision conditions.
