Vuity vs. Qlosi: 6 Similarities and Differences Between These Presbyopia Eye Drops
Key takeaways:
Presbyopia, or age-related vision changes, is a common eye condition. It can make objects and small details harder to see up close as you get older.
Vuity and Qlosi are FDA-approved eye drops for presbyopia. They contain the same active ingredient: pilocarpine. But there are differences in their available doses, recommended dosages, and preservative content.
Vuity is available with a prescription from your ophthalmologist. Qlosi, although newly approved, is not yet commercially available (as of August 2024). Ask your ophthalmologist if Vuity or Qlosi could help your presbyopia symptoms.
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Table of contents
Presbyopia is a common eye condition that makes it difficult to see things up close as you grow older. It’s a normal part of the aging process, but blurry vision and related vision changes can meaningfully affect your quality of life.
Many people find reading glasses or bifocals to be helpful for addressing presbyopia symptoms. But prescription treatments for presbyopia are also available. The eye drops Vuity and Qlosi, which both contain the active ingredient pilocarpine, are newer medications that can help people with presbyopia see more clearly.
These eye drops have several similarities, but they also have some important distinctions. Let’s explore the six most notable similarities and differences between Vuity and Qlosi for presbyopia.
1. Both medications contain pilocarpine
As mentioned, pilocarpine is the active ingredient in both Vuity and Qlosi. Pilocarpine belongs to a group of medications called cholinergic agonists.
Pilocarpine isn’t new, either. It’s been used for many years as both an eye drop and oral tablet to treat other health conditions, such as certain types of glaucoma and dry mouth.
How does pilocarpine work? An introduction to pilocarpine’s mechanism of action
Pilocarpine works by stimulating muscles in the eye, causing the pupils to constrict (get smaller). This process, known as miosis, increases the vision depth and enhances short-range vision. This allows pilocarpine to temporarily improve the clarity of close-up objects.
At-home treatment options: Consider these eye exercises that can help with presbyopia, or age-related vision changes, with or without medication.
Expired eye drops: If it’s been a while since you last used your eye drops, they might have expired. Find out if it’s safe to use eye drops past their expiration date.
Presbyopia problems: Don’t let this common eye condition get you down. Learn about presbyopia treatment options and when to see an eye care professional for help.
For people experiencing symptoms of presbyopia, such as difficulty reading a newspaper or squinting to see objects right in front of you, this is especially beneficial.
2. Vuity and Qlosi have different recommended dosages
While Vuity and Qlosi both contain pilocarpine, the amount of the active ingredient in each medication is different. Compared to Qlosi, Vuity contains a higher concentration of pilocarpine. It’s available in a 1.25% dose and is dispensed in 2.5 mL and 5 mL bottles. Qlosi, on the other hand, is available in a 0.4% dose and is dispensed in single-use vials.
Their recommended dosages and frequency of use slightly differ because of these distinctions. Vuity eye drops are typically administered as one drop into each eye once daily. A second Vuity dose can be given 3 to 6 hours after the first dose, if needed.
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Qlosi can be used on a daily basis or as needed. It’s recommended to put one drop in each eye, followed by an additional drop 2 to 3 hours later, if needed. Each vial should be thrown away after a single dose.
It’s important to administer your eye drops exactly how your ophthalmologist tells you to. This will help you get the most benefit from the medication.
3. Vuity was FDA approved first
Vuity was the first FDA-approved treatment for presbyopia, and it’s been available since 2021. Qlosi, on the other hand, is still awaiting its full commercial launch.
When is Qlosi expected to launch commercially?
Qlosi is expected to be commercially available soon. A medication’s launch date typically comes after its FDA approval date, and Qlosi was approved in October 2023.
Qlosi was expected to launch in the first half of 2024. But, as of August 2024, Qlosi is not yet commercially available in the U.S. The manufacturer hasn’t released any updates on the reason for this delay.
4. Vuity and Qlosi each have their own supporting data
Vuity and Qlosi have each been studied in separate clinical trials. Both were shown to be safe and effective treatments for presbyopia. But Vuity’s data is more well-known since it’s already commercially available.
Vuity was shown to be safe and effective for presbyopia in two phase 3 clinical studies. Both studies looked at Vuity’s effects in people ages 40 to 55 years old. They found that, whether applied once or twice daily, Vuity improved near vision in more participants than placebo drops did by the end of a 30-day period.
Qlosi’s clinical studies involved people with presbyopia who were 45 to 64 years old. Over 40% of study participants saw improvement in near vision with Qlosi by the end of a 14-day period (compared to nearly 20% with a placebo). The studies also found that Qlosi can begin working in as little as 20 minutes and last up to 8 hours with two doses per day.
5. Qlosi is preservative-free, but both medications can cause side effects
Vuity contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride. It’s meant to help Vuity last longer and avoid contamination, but it may also benefit the medication’s effectiveness. By comparison, Qlosi is preservative-free. This is helpful for people who are sensitive to preservatives, which often cause irritation, in other eye drops.
Although Qlosi doesn’t contain preservatives, side effects are possible with both medications.
Headaches were the most common Qlosi side effect in clinical trials. Other possible Qlosi side effects include eye pain and blurry vision. Most of Qlosi’s side effects are mild and resolve on their own.
Vuity can also cause these types of side effects. But Vuity’s side effects may also include eye redness, watery eyes, and impaired vision.
Keep in mind: Every person reacts differently to medications. Be sure to let your ophthalmologist know if you experience persistent discomfort, redness, or vision changes at any point. They can adjust your treatment plan as needed to minimize side effects.
More serious side effects
Postmarketing data suggests that Vuity may have negative effects on the retina — the part of the eye that sends image signals to the brain.
In rare cases, retinal tears and retinal detachment have been reported by people using Vuity. Because of this, It’s recommended that you receive a retinal exam before you begin treatment with Vuity.
We don’t know if Qlosi can have negative effects on the retina yet. Researchers should learn more about this with time. But Qlosi’s manufacturer says that the medication was designed to achieve an optimal balance between efficacy, safety, and comfort.
6. Vuity and Qlosi are administered using a similar technique
Vuity and Qlosi are administered in a similar fashion. Here’s a six-step refresher on how to properly put in eye drops:
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
Tilt your head back and look up.
Gently pull your lower eyelid down to make a pouch between your eyeball and the inside of your lower eyelid.
Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch. Try not to touch the bottle to your eye.
Close your eye and press your finger against the corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 2-3 minutes. This helps keep the medication in your eye.
Repeat this process in your other eye.
Additional tips for safely and effectively administering eye drops include:
Avoid blinking or rubbing your eyes immediately after applying your eye drops.
Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops. This helps prevent possible dilution or interactions.
Remove contact lenses before applying your eye drops. Wait at least 10 minutes before reinserting them.
It’s also important to store your eye drops according to the product’s labeling. Vuity is usually stored at room temperature (59°F to 77°F) and can be used until the expiration date on the bottle. Qlosi should be kept in the fridge (36℉ to 46℉). But, once you open a pouch, each single-use vial can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days.
Following these steps can help maximize the benefits of your presbyopia treatment and reduce the risk of side effects.
The bottom line
Vuity and Qlosi are prescription eye drops that treat presbyopia. They both contain the active ingredient pilocarpine, which helps nearby objects and small details appear more clear. Both medications are considered safe and effective.
While Vuity, which was the first FDA-approved presbyopia medication, is already commercially available, Qlosi is yet to launch (as of August 2024). Since Qlosi is preservative-free, it may be a better option for people with sensitive eyes once it’s available. But there are additional differences to consider.
If you have presbyopia, talk with your ophthalmologist about whether Vuity or Qlosi might be right for you.
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References
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Gudgel, D. T. (2023). How to put in eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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National Eye Institute. (2021). How to put in eye drops.
Orasis Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (2023). Orasis pharmaceuticals announces FDA approval of Qlosi (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 0.4% for the treatment of presbyopia.
Orasis Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (2023). Qlosi [package insert].
Pereira, B. M. P., et al. (2019). Benzalkonium chlorides: Uses, regulatory status, and microbial resistance. Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Turbert, D. (2024). Eye exam and vision testing basics. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
