New drug in treatment of Wet Macular Degeneration

A new drug for the treatment of wet macular degeneration - one of the UK's leading causes of blindness could also help people restore lost vision.

A study in the New England Journal found that monthly injections of the drug 'Lucentis' slowed vision loss in 90% of patients and improved the vision of a third of those surveyed.

Lucentis, which works by preventing the formation of abnormal blood vessels in the eye and dries up vessels that have already leaked, is expected to be granted a European-wide licence within the next three months. However, treatment on the NHS is likely to be delayed until after the drug has been appraised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence late in 2007.

For more informatio on wet macular degeneration download the age related macular degeneration factsheet from the Eye Disorders section on this site.