If you’re reading this post without having to wear glasses, you’re in an enviable position. By our 40s, most of us begin to have problems seeing written words- either on a page or a screen- and by our 60s that vision loss has leveled off. The condition is known as presbyopia, which comes as a normal part of aging and causes most of us to lose the ability to focus our close-up vision. While it’s often frustrating (and perhaps embarrassing) it’s an easily corrected condition with contact lenses or glasses (either prescription or drugstore variety “cheaters”). For some, there is also the option of refractive or laser surgery to correct your vision. Beyond blurry vision, it’s possible you’ll experience headaches, eye strain, or the need for more light while reading with presbyopia. The statistics? Presbyopia affects 128 million people in the US and over a billion people worldwide.

The question is: If you had a chance to help your vision with drops rather than glasses or lenses, is that something of interest to you? Well, it’s no longer a hypothetical question. Last fall, the FDA approved the sale of a new product called Vuity, a prescription eye drop developed by Allergen to help older adults see better up close. The drops use an ingredient called pilocarpine (long used for the treatment of glaucoma) to temporarily shrink your eye’s pupil and block extraneous light so that objects up close can come into sharper focus. It is thought that the drops will last for up to 6 hours of help, and the directions for their use are to insert the drops in each eye just once a day in the morning. Because of the properties of the drops, it’s not recommended that you use them in the evening or try to drive at night with the drops in your eyes. For more on the eye biology and mechanisms that power Vuity, take off your reading glasses and click here.

So should you go for it? Are you ready to ditch the (many pairs of) reading glasses you have stashed on every surface of your home, and embrace this once-a-day “miracle”? Well, first you’ll need a prescription from your eye doctor, which should generate an exam and discussion of whether this product is right for you. These drops are specifically intended for those who have age-related vision loss, not vision loss due to other reasons. Next, there’s the cost. A bottle of Vuity, which should last about a month and is not covered by insurance (this is not considered a medical necessity) will run you at least $80. A hefty price but then again, how much do you regularly spend to replace the reading glasses you are constantly misplacing?

But do these drops work? And what are the side effects, if any? While the jury may still be out on whether these drops are worth the cost and appropriate for your vision loss, there are some reviews that suggest mixed results at best. Writing in Scientific American, writer Charles Schmidt was mildly enthusiastic, though his improved vision only lasted about 3 hours rather than the 6 that the manufacturer touts. Book editor Elizabeth Egan (writing in The New York Times and someone who depends on her eyes for a living) was even less enthusiastic. As someone admittedly very dependent on reading glasses and regularly missing texts and emails due to vision problems (along with increasing the font on her screens), she was excited to try Vuity. She too found the effects wore off sooner than anticipated and suffered from red irritated eyes, though she did admit to being excited to briefly be able to read her texts without glasses. She concludes her review by signaling a return to her old ways: “For now, I’ll continue to accessorize myself with the biggest, brightest, weirdest glasses I can find.” So, while these drops are relatively new and will perhaps be improved over time (and will ultimately compete with other manufacturers who are busy creating their own presbyopia remedies), you, too, may be best holding off for the moment. And maybe indulge your own desire to accessorize with fun reading glasses by clicking here.