Ground-breaking ophthalmology trial has eye on Bradford recruits

Monday, 20 August 2018 07:00

An international, ground-breaking clinical trial seeking to find a new way of treating wet macular degeneration (a condition that causes the loss of central vision, usually in both eyes) is looking to recruit patients in Bradford.

Staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s award-winning Ophthalmology Research Network (BORN), part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, are taking part in the clinical trial, sponsored by PanOptica, Inc.

Currently, the most common treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) involves regular injections of a drug into the back of the eye. The research trial is investigating whether these injections could be replaced by eye drops, an approach which has the potential to transform treatment for patients.

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Professor Faruque Ghanchi, said: “Macular disorders are the leading cause of blindness, and a decade ago treatment options were limited. The current standard medicine used in treating wet AMD relies on injections and, although eye drops remain the most popular way of administering ophthalmic medicine to the eye, they are not available to treat this condition.

“There is a growing need for research to find better treatment options. This is a great opportunity for Bradford patients with newly diagnosed wet AMD to directly participate in such research.”

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