Thousands of people at risk of blindness will be spared monthly injections as NHS bosses approve a new drug that slows the progression of a debilitating eye problem.
The drug, faricimab, will be offered to patients receiving treatment for advanced retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
It is estimated that more than 11,000 people will benefit from the new drug, which is so effective that only three injections a year are needed, compared to current monthly injections.
Experts say this could be a “big step” for patients suffering from the disease. RVO occurs when one of the small blood veins in the back of the eye becomes blocked by a clot. This causes blood and other fluids to leak into the retina, causing bruising and swelling.
Over time, it can cause blindness as fluid buildup permanently damages the eye. Studies suggest that 50,000 Britons suffer from RVO each year, and the majority are over 60 years old.
Thousands of people at risk of blindness will be spared monthly injections of a new drug called faricimab (file image above)
NHS bosses (chief executive Amanda Pritchard pictured) have approved the drug to be offered to patients receiving treatment for advanced retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
Within two months of diagnosis, 80 percent of patients suffer severe symptoms that cause blurred vision.
The exact cause of RVO is unknown, but several conditions make it more likely, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking.
Treatments should be administered by injection into the eye once a month.
“This means patients spend a lot of time being admitted to hospital,” says Dr Christiana Dinah, consultant ophthalmologist at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.
“This seems like a big step forward,” he adds. “Every year the NHS spends thousands of hours carrying out these injections.
“If we could reduce the number we have to perform, we would free up more time for doctors and help tackle the worryingly large waiting lists we have.”
Roche ophthalmology expert Eelke Roos said: “There is a high treatment burden for people with this condition in terms of frequency of injections.” This causes great anxiety for patients and carers as they have to fit repeated office visits into their already busy lives.’