PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY FOR WET AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Early day motion 1019, tabled 14 November 2005 by Lord Lansley (Conservative). Signed by 86 members.

That this House recognises that wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition which causes the majority of blindness in older people, often leaving patients unable to lead an active and independent life; notes that photodynamic therapy (PDT) can halt vision loss in many wet AMD patients and was approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in September 2003; further notes that NICE urged specialised commisioners to develop fast-track referral pathways for wet AMD patients so as to ensure rapid access; expresses concern that, according to new audit data to be presented by the Macular Disease Society and the Royal National Institute of the Blind, 30 per cent. of people throughout the United Kingdom who could have benefited from PDT have not been treated; is further concerned that some patients go blind in the time it takes to be referred to a specialist; and therefore calls on the Government proactively to ensure that NICE guidance is fully implemented.

Signatures by party: Conservative 47, Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 13, DUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.