In what could raise hopes of millions suffering from age-related vision loss, scientists have developed a new drug based on vitamin A which they say could effectively stop the advance of macular degeneration.
Results of a clinical trial showed that the drug, called fenretinide, effectively halts the advance of age-related macular degeneration, or dry AMD, a disease for which there is currently no cure.
“Dry” AMD is caused by the destruction of cells in macula, the part of the retina which allows you to see straight ahead. It is the most prevalent form of the disease and leaves a black spot in sufferers’ vision.
In a US study, fenretinide was given to 250 people with “dry” AMD. It was found to halt the deterioration of eyesight by protecting healthy cells but not stopping the destruction of cells that were already damaged.
Dr Jason Slakter of New York University School of Medicine said: “There are currently no effective treatments for dry AMN and the need for finding one is grave. Our study wasn’t designed to give a final answer. It was designed to see if there was a biological effect and if the drug was working in the way we’d expect and to find out if it was well tolerated by patients. I think we answered all of these points favourably. If further trials are successful the drug could become available within 5 years.”