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Revolutionary eye drop treatment for Macular Degeneration

Revolutionary eye drop treatment for Macular Degeneration

Monday 22 May 2017

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a new therapy for age-related macular degeneration which could spell the end of painful injections for sufferers. The news offers new hope for over 600,000 people in the UK who are afflicted with the condition.

The current treatment regime of injections is far from pleasant, and carries with it the risk of tearing of the delicate tissue around the eye and causing infections within the eye. Ironically, this in turn can lead to an increased risk of blindness. The new method delivers the necessary drug to the relevant part of the eye within minutes via a dropper, and laboratory tests have obtained the same outcomes as injections.

Lead scientist biochemist Dr Felicity de Cogan says that “efficacious self-administering drug application by eye drop would lead to a significant reduction in adverse outcomes and health care costs compared with current treatments”.

Sources:

  1. Science Daily:
    Revolutionary eye drops to treat age-related blindness.

  2. University of Birmingham:
    University of Birmingham develops revolutionary eye drops to treat age-related blindness

Label:

AMD

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Comments

  • Daphne Wallis
    27 May 2017

    When can we expect this treatment to be available to all current sufferers?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Daphne, many thanks for your question. There is no mention of a date in the press release we have used as our source. There is a Press Office contact for further information in the University of Birmingham source material.

  • Ron Mortlock
    27 May 2017

    This is wonderful news. I have had many injections but still have AMD. My eye discharges and it stings. I have to visit the hospital again in June to see the nurse-specialist and I will show her a print of your blog. Thank you!

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Mr Mortlock, many thanks for taking the time to post your comments. We are pleased that you found the blog informative. Good luck with your forthcoming visit to your nurse-specialist.

  • Eileen Furgerson
    27 May 2017

    Where can i buy theses drops?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Ms Furgerson, thank you for contacting us. The researchers do not specify how you can obtain the eyedrops. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • Jenny Jones
    27 May 2017

    Does this include the dry form too?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Ms Jones, thank you for this and your earlier queries. I’m afraid the researchers do not specify which form of Macular Degeneration the eye drops will suit. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • Peter O'Neill
    27 May 2017

    This looks amazing. I will keep the info just in case.

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Mr O’Neill, thank you for taking the time to post your comment. We are glad that you found the blog informative.

  • ELIZABETH LONGLEY
    28 May 2017

    IS THERE ANY IDEA WHEN THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY BECOME A STANDARD TREATMENT WITHIN THE NHS? THE INJECTIONS ARE NOT THE WORST THING IN THE WORLD BUT THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MIRACLE IN COMPARISON. (CURRENTLY BEING TREATED AT THE WEST KENT EYE CENTRE, PRINCESS ROYAL HOSPITAL, ORPINGTON.

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Ms Longley, thank you for posting your comment. I’m afraid the researchers do not give any time frames in their press release. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • Raymond Shallcross
    28 May 2017

    After many years of injections I think it is marvellous nes

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Mr Shallcross, many thanks for taking the time to post your comment. We are pleased that you found the article informative.

  • Margaret Wilding
    29 May 2017

    Sounds absolutely groundbreaking! When will this be available by presciption and / or in pharmacies?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Ms Wilding, thank you for your comment. I’m afraid the researchers do not give answers to your questions in their press release. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • Ruth Roberts
    29 May 2017

    I am due to have my 25th injection of Lucentis tomorrow for wet macular with polyps. Would this injection be for that type and when will they be available thanks? Ruth Roberts

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Ms Roberts, thank you for posting your comment. I’m afraid the researchers do not specify which form of Macular Degeneration the eye drops will suit, nor do they specify when they will be available. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • jenny Jones
    30 May 2017

    When will these be available and will Optometrists be able to administer them?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Ms Jones, thank you for your questions. I’m afraid the researchers do not give answers to either of these questions in their press release. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • Roy Ashworth
    31 May 2017

    Will this work for both wet and dry AMG? What is the period required between administering the eye drop?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Mr Ashworth, thank you for contacting us. I’m afraid the researchers do not specify which form of Macular Degeneration the eye drops will suit, nor do they specify how regularly the eye drops will need to be administered. For further information, you will find a Press Office contact in our University of Birmingham source material http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/05/revolutionary-eye-drops-developed.aspx

  • Roy Ashworth
    31 May 2017

    Sounds good. Is it cheaper than having an 'eylea' injection?

    Serious Readers reply:

    Dear Mr Ashworth, thank you for your question. The researchers make no comment about costs in their press release. Please feel free to contact the University of Birmingham Press Office contact mentioned in our last response to you.

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