Tweet
It has been called the ?penicillin? for eye disease. And Americans will soon have access to it; today Lucentis has been approved by the FDA for use in those with the serious eye disease called age-related macular degeneration or AMD. AMD occurs when central vision deteriorates due to changes in the eye?s film called the retina. There are two forms of the disease; the dry form and the wet form. While the dry form is much more common, the wet type is responsible for most cases of serious visual loss and blindness. The wet type of AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and leak blood and fluid into the central portion of the retina, damaging central vision. An estimated 1.2 million Americans over the age of 40 are affected by wet macular degeneration, of whom 90% have lost their eyesight. In the past, treatment of wet macular degeneration has been aimed at slowing progression of the disease (preventing further vision loss). However, the drug Lucentis can actually regain vision lost from the disease. It works by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye by binding to the molecule that signals for the creation of new blood vessels. It is delivered through monlthy injections into the back of the eye. While the cost of the drug is said to be $1950 per dose, its price may be justified as it may reduce depression, nursing home admission and falls, all of which are known to be related to macular degeneration. Results from clinical trials have shown that when given monthly injections, 95 percent of participants maintained their vision, and roughly one-third experienced vision improvements after one year. While there is still no cure for age-related macular degeneration, Lucentis provides hope for continued vision in those with this condition.
Comment