Presbyopia—age-related difficulty seeing things up close—eventually affects everyone, and millions of retired Americans manage it daily. Reading glasses help, but they can be inconvenient, especially if you’re constantly putting them on and taking them off throughout the day. That’s why interest has grown around medicated eye drops designed to improve near vision for several hours at a time.

One of the newest options, VIZZ, has been making news—and according to Axios, many users are reporting blurry distance vision and other side effects that retirees should understand before trying it.

Presbyopia drops work by gently constricting the pupil, increasing depth of focus the same way a camera sharpens an image by narrowing its aperture. For many people in their 40s through early 60s, this can make reading a smartphone, book, or menu easier without glasses. But because the pupil becomes smaller, less light enters the eye. That can make distance vision appear dimmer or blurrier, particularly in low-light settings such as restaurants, parking lots, evening drives, or simply cloudy days indoors.

Axios highlighted that the most common complaint among VIZZ users is worsened distance vision. Some people even reported feeling unsafe driving after using the drops. Eye specialists say this isn’t surprising. The mechanism that improves close-up vision can also create trade-offs, especially for older adults who may already have dry eyes, mild cataracts, or reduced night vision. Because these natural age-related changes affect how light moves through the eye, the side effects can feel more noticeable for retirees.

Doctors also stress that presbyopia drops are not a cure and don’t work equally well for everyone. Adults over 65 may have age-related lens changes that limit how effective these medications can be. Some people get modest improvement; others find the temporary blur outweighs the benefits.

Still, these drops can be useful in the right circumstances. For daytime reading, cooking, crafting, or using a tablet—tasks where distance clarity isn’t essential—they may provide welcome relief. For retirees who drive at night or spend lots of time in dim environments, it’s wise to be cautious. Most eye-care professionals recommend testing the drops at home first, at a time when you don’t need to drive or rely heavily on long-distance focus.

Ultimately, whether presbyopia drops are a good fit depends on your individual eye health and lifestyle. A conversation with your eye doctor can help you weigh the benefits and possible side effects. For some retirees, a combination of reading glasses, good lighting, and occasional eye-drop use may work well. For others, glasses remain the most comfortable and reliable solution.

Vision changes are a natural part of aging. New tools like presbyopia drops simply give retirees more options. The goal is finding what helps you read clearly, stay safe, and enjoy each day with confidence.