Eye Health

Genetic Blindness Clinical Trials Pioneered in UK

In 2008, UK researchers from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital NIHR Biomedical Research Centre announced results from the world’s first clinical trial to test a revolutionary gene therapy treatment for a type of inherited blindness.

The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that the experimental treatment is safe and can improve sight. The findings are a landmark for gene therapy technology and could have a significant impact on future treatments for eye disease.

This summer, the clinical trials entered a new phase which uses a higher dosage of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing the RPE65 gene.

“We are very pleased to be able to include younger children, who have more viable retina, and to use a higher dose, which increases the probability of a durable response,” stated Professor Robin Ali, University College of London Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, who is leading the study. “We believe this protocol optimizes risk/benefit for subjects and will further improve the quality of data acquired.”

An Aspirin a Day Won’t Keep Blindness Away!

Much was made recently in the news telling you that aspirin Ccould stop you going blind”. According to the Daily Express,  taking aspirin daily can cut the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by almost a fifth of the elderly. Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of vision loss for older people. 

While the research behind the study that made these claims was well-conducted, the results were incorrectly reported. According to NHS Choices,the large study, which lasted several years, found that aspirin had no significant effect on the risk of developing age-related macular generation, a point the researchers clearly highlighted in their written results.

NHSChoices goes on to say "The findings of this research were completely misinterpreted by the Daily Express, which has claimed that aspirin could prevent blindness, and that risk of developing age-related macular degeneration was significantly reduced when using aspirin. In contrast, the study found non-significant results, a point made clear by the researchers themselves."

For more information, and the complete article, visit http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/12December/Pages/ARMD-sight-loss-asprin-treatment-no-benefit.aspx

Qualified Optometrists Can Now Prescribe Medicines

Optometrists who have qualified to independently prescribe medicines for ocular conditions can apply to join the GOC's new Independent Prescribing (IP) speciality register.

So far, three optometrists have registered to have the IP specialty entered against their name in the Opticians Registers. Overall, 30 optometrists have passed the College of Optometrists' Final Assessment in Independent Prescribing, and are eligible to apply to have the IP specialty registered against their name. No doubt, more will follow and it is the patient who ends up the winner by having local access to eye health.