Brent woman tests new sight saving drug
A Brent woman is the first person in Europe to take part in a medical trial that could save her eyesight.
Virbai Patel’s sight has got progressively worse over the past decade after existing treatments failed to tackle a condition called diabetic macular odema (DME)
The current treatment for DME - caused by blood vessels leaking into the back of the eye - is effective but not everyone benefits from it. It is the most common cause of sight loss associated with diabetes and can leave people unable to drive, read or see as their sight progressively worsens.
Brent, Harrow and Ealing have the highest number of diabetes in the UK and a correspondingly high prevelence of DME .
Virbai, 56, said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to take part in the trial which involves three injections in the eye of a drug called THR-149. It is early days but I am hopeful it will offer some sort of improvement.”
The condition affects both her eyes making trips outside the home challenging.
Virbai added: “I can’t read anymore or even see the food labels in the supermarket. I’ve even found getting the bus is a challenge because I can’t make out the number on the front of it. My family is supportive but I don’t want to be a burden on them.”
At present, Central Middlesex Hospital is at the forefront of national ophthalmology research with access to the latest trials for eye-related conditions.
Dr Christina Dinah, Director of Research and Development at LNWH, said: “ The goal of clinical research is to improve the health and wealth of society. There are currently few treatments approved for the treatment of DME and they dont work for everyone. Our trust is proud to be able to offer this cutting-edge treatment to Verbai, in this case, potentially saving her sight."
The study, which aims to recruit 122 patients across Europe, expects to report results in 2023.