Campaigns

Treatment of wet AMD campaign

Summary: NICE gives thousands of people hope that their sight might be saved.

• Judicial Review Update
• Background
• Further information

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Judicial Review Update

The three patients who challenged Warwickshire PCT's decision to deny sight saving treatment for them and others finally had a resolution in their struggle to get treatment for wet AMD and it is now hoped that there will be a final resolution to the case. For further details about this announcement and key moments in the campaign read campaign news - AMD treatment campaign.

Background

In February 2006 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) started appraising two new treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The new treatments (brand names Lucentis and Macugen) are so-called anti-VEGF treatments that are administered through injections in the eye. They stop the bleeding at the back of the eye that causes sight loss in patient with wet AMD.

The appraisal process went through several phases and alarmingly NICE recommended at one point to limit treatment to less than 20 per cent of patients. Persistent lobbying and a huge public outcry that included thousands of people writing to NICE managed to overturn this decision.

Further information

• NICE recommendations - further information
• Anti-VEGF treatments - further information
• Action for AMD Treatment (AAT)

Further information on AMD

• Guide to understanding age-related macular degeneration.
• Macular Disease Society - providing information and support for people dealing with macular degeneration and related retinal diseases.
• The AMD Alliance International is a global coalition of vision and seniors' organisations dedicated to raising awareness of AMD and the options available for prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and support services.

For eye health professionals

• You can read the full NICE Appraisal Consultation Document.
• The National Library for Health’s Eyes and Vision Specialist Library held a National Knowledge Week about age-related macular degeneration on 18-24 June 2007.
• During the week commencing 16 June2008, EVSL hosted an Annual Evidence Update to the 2007 National Knowledge Week and provided information about the evidence that has been published over the past year on AMD.

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Content author: campaign@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 23/07/2008 18:15