CLEAR™ Presbyopia: Management with Scleral and Pharmaceutical Techniques 

While traditional management of presbyopia has concentrated on spectacles, contact lenses and refractive surgery, new treatment options that include manipulation of the scleral tissue and pharmacological interventions are set to change the way we think about this condition.
That is the final conclusion of the penultimate paper in a series to be released as part of the new BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia (continued learning evidence-based academic reports) – a global consensus report put together by the BCLA.

It reviews a wide range of surgical and pharmacological options and the visual and optical outcomes, post-treatment management and the safety and efficacy of the procedures including impact on quality of life.

With eye treatments constantly coming in and out of fashion, this paper provides eye care professionals with additional information about the ageing eye that challenges some of the conventional and more established presbyopia theories. 

Aligned with the fact that there is an ageing population, presbyopia remains one of the key challenges for eye care clinicians and researchers, with effective management of the condition often termed the ‘holy grail’ for ophthalmic professionals.

The paper’s first author is Shehzad Naroo – a Professor at Aston University. Shehzad’s research interests include presbyopia, corneal biomechanics, laser refractive surgery, cataract and lens surgery, intraocular lenses, sports vision and business aspects of eye care. 

Shehzad Naroo said: “While traditional presbyopia theories typically overlook the sclera, certain treatment options do involve manipulating scleral tissue, meaning eye care professionals have more treatment methods to choose from.”  

The paper, titled ‘Management with Scleral and Pharmaceutical Techniques’, will be released as part of a new series of evidence-based guidance available to eye care professionals around the world on all aspects of prescribing and fitting contact lenses as part of a concerted drive to provide the best possible patient care. 

BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia was facilitated by the BCLA, with financial support by way of educational grants for collaboration, publication and dissemination provided by Alcon, Bausch+Lomb, CooperVision, EssilorLuxoticca, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. It will be published in the BCLA journal ‘Contact Lens and Anterior Eye’ and will feature work from panels of globally respected experts.

It will build on the impact of the first issue published in April 2021, which has proved an essential reference point for contact lens professionals across the world. The report will be made available to both BCLA members and non-members.