A new drug which could save the sight of people with a common eye condition has been approved for use in Scotland.
Macular oedema is swelling of the retina at the back of the eye usually due to fluid build-up from leakage of damaged or abnormal blood vessels.
It can be found in common retinal diseases or as a result of inflammation following eye surgery or trauma.
It is incurable but can be treated effectively if diagnosed early.
Two conditions which can lead to it are central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion – condition where the veins in the retina may become blocked. Within two months of being diagnosed, 85% of those with BRVO and 75% with CRVO develop macular oedema.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium has now given approval for use of Vabysmo for adults with visual impairment due to macular oedema caused by BRVO or CRVO.
Eelke Roos, Ophthalmology Lead, at pharmaceutical company Roche Products Limited said: “We are delighted with the SMC’s decision that appropriate patients across Scotland with macular oedema as a result of retinal vein occlusion will have access to Vabysmo.”
She added: “This medicine has the potential to reduce the high treatment burden on the patients, their carers, and the wider healthcare system by reducing the frequency of injections and, therefore, the number of hospital visits needed.”