A new eye disease treatment is now available on the NHS here at Broomfield Hospital. Patients in Essex are now able to receive this revolutionary treatment for the eye disease, (wet) Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
ARMD is the most common cause of blindness in the UK and this treatment was previously only available privately. Following the new guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) it states that the treatment for wet ARMD should be provided by all PCT’s at their local hospital, or they should make arrangements for their patients to be treated at an alternative centre, hence this revolutionary service being offered here at Broomfield.
The treatment available at Broomfield Hospital involves injecting the drug Lucentis into the eye which prevents new, weak blood vessels from growing and leaking under the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for central vision, and may even repair some of the damage that has been done to the eye.
The treatment consists of three injections into the eye, one administered each month. The patient is then regularly monitored to check progress. They will receive further injections if the vision falls. This treatment is spread over two years and over the course of the treatment most patients will find their vision stays the same and for some, approximately 30%, it will improve.
Patients requiring this treatment will be referred to Broomfield Hospital by their GP or optician.
Click on the link in the right hand column to listen to the Patient Audio Guide to Lucentis Therapy.
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