Pharmacist's Verdict
Qlosi is a groundbreaking over-the-counter eye drop that offers a convenient, temporary fix for age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia), but its effectiveness comes with potential side effects like dim vision and headaches.
Ingredient Analysis
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride 0.4%
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It is the first and only FDA-approved over-the-counter eye drop for presbyopia, making treatment very accessible.
- Works quickly, typically improving near vision within 30 minutes of use.
- Provides a temporary alternative to wearing reading glasses, which is great for social situations or active lifestyles.
- The application is simple and non-invasive, just a standard eye drop.
Cons
- The vision improvement is temporary, lasting only up to 6 hours, requiring daily use.
- Common side effects include headache, eye redness, and difficulty seeing in dim light, which can make night driving dangerous.
- It may be less effective for those with more advanced presbyopia.
- While rare, there is a small risk of retinal detachment; users should watch for symptoms like flashes of light or new 'floaters' in their vision.
Safety Information
Potential Side Effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (5% to 8%) are instillation site pain and headaches. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Orasis Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-866-ORASIS1 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. QLOSI was evaluated in 309 patients with presbyopia in two randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled studies (NEAR-1 and NEAR-2) of 15 days duration. The most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events in 5-8% of patients were instillation …
Is Qlosi safe for you?
See pregnancy, interactions, and common concerns answered in our pharmacist safety FAQ.
Read safety review →References
- 1.FDA Drug Label — Qlosi
FDA DailyMed: Qlosi · FDA