WORLD OF MEDICINE

EYE DROPS THAT REPLACE READING GLASSES

The first prescription eye drops to treat age-related far-sightedness, also known as presbyopia, were recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This promising development could potentially replace reading glasses for up to 1.8 billion people globally.

The eye drops work by reducing your pupil size and expanding your depth of focus so you can see closeup objects more clearly. They may be best suited for people in their 40s and 50s, since they are less effective for those with advanced presbyopia.

A DOLLOP OF YOGHURT LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

A study at the University of South Australia and the University of Maine found that people with elevated blood pressure (greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg, the normal level being less than 120/80) who regularly consumed yoghurt lowered their readings by nearly seven points. The dairy product may have this heart-healthy effect because it contains bacteria that promote the release of proteins that lower blood pressure.

REDUCING STRESS MAY SLOW DOWN AGEING

Scientists have begun tracking changes in DNA as people get older and found that this measurement of ‘biological age’ can predict a person’s health and lifespan better than age counted in years. Researchers at Yale University used a tool called GrimAge to investigate whether chronic stress accelerates ageing and if there are ways to slow it down. The study found that cumulative stress does indeed make a healthy person’s biological clock accelerate – and can even cause it to move at a faster rate than other risk factors, such as being overweight. People who experienced prolonged stress but scored high in emotional regulation and selfcontrol were more resilient to stress’s negative effects.