Implant offers hope for sight loss

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LONDON: A biodegradable implant which releases a drug slowly into the eye could help thousands of people suffering sight loss, it has been announced.

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) affects more than 200,000 people in the UK and can lead to a sudden loss of vision.

It is caused by blockages in the retinal veins, which drain away blood from the retinal cells at the back of the eye.

The blood builds up and creates swelling, which damages the cells of the retina and therefore sight.

People can experience sudden sight loss, blurred vision, straight lines appearing wavy, or the appearance of a black spot in their central vision.

Now, a new implant called Ozurdex has been approved for use in the UK as the only treatment for RVO.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said the implant was an "exciting new development" although it has yet to be appraised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) for widespread use on the NHS.

The implant, which is injected directly into the back of the eye near the retina, has been shown to improve or help to prevent the worsening of sight loss.

In the first two months, a high dose of the anti-inflammatory medicine dexamethasone is released, which reduces swelling.

A lower dose of dexamethasone is then released slowly over the next four months, which stops the swelling in the retina from getting worse.