A new drug approved by NHS chiefs will mean thousands of people at risk of going blind will no longer have to take monthly injections

Thousands of people at risk of going blind will be spared monthly injections as NHS chiefs approve a new drug that slows the progression of a debilitating eye problem.

The drug, faricimab, will be offered to patients being treated for advanced retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

It is estimated that more than 11,000 people will benefit from the new drug, which is so effective it only requires three injections a year, compared to the current monthly injections.

Experts say this could be a ‘big step’ for patients suffering from the disease. RVO occurs when one of the small blood vessels at the back of the eye becomes blocked by a clot. This causes blood and other fluids to leak into the retina, causing bruising and swelling.

Over time, this can lead to blindness as the buildup of fluid permanently damages the eye. Research shows that 50,000 British people suffer from RVO every year, the majority of whom are over 60 years old.

Thousands of people at risk of going blind will be spared monthly injections by a new drug called faricimab (image above)

NHS chiefs (Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard pictured) have approved the drug which will be offered to patients being treated for advanced retinal vein occlusion (RVO)

Within two months of diagnosis, 80 percent of patients suffer from severe symptoms that cause blurred vision.

The exact cause of RVO is unknown, but several conditions increase the risk, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.

The treatments should be given as an injection into the eye once a month.

‘This means patients spend a lot of time in hospital,’ says Dr Christiana Dinah, consultant ophthalmologist at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

“This feels like a big step forward,” she adds. ‘Thousands of hours are spent in the NHS every year carrying out these injections.

‘If we could reduce the number we had to perform, it would free up more time for doctors and help tackle the worryingly large waiting lists we have.’

Roche eye expert Eelke Roos said: ‘There is a high treatment burden for people with this condition in terms of injection frequency. This is causing great concern for patients and caregivers as they have to fit repeated clinic visits into their already busy lives.”