New drug helps in age-related macular degeneration

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Vision loss can be reduced in 'wet' age-related macular degeneration with a new drug.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the major cause of vision loss on people over 50. The 'wet' form of the condition is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. It accounts for just 10 per cent of AMD cases, but 90 per cent of the vision loss and so is a major unmet medical need.

The drug pegaptanib has just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It works by blocking the growth of the abnormal blood vessels. In two new international studies, the new treatment was shown to slow loss of vision in 'wet' AMD when compared to a 'sham' injection (the drug is given by injection into the eye). The results show that, unlike current treatments, pegaptanib is applicable to a wide range of patients with 'wet' AMD and may help many people to preserve their vision and quality of life.

Source
New England Journal of Medicine 30th December 2004

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