Eye injections are hailed by experts as a “major step” in the fight against sight loss from a disease which affects 50,000 Britons every year and is a leading cause of blindness in those over 60

Thousands of people at risk of blindness could be spared monthly injections thanks to a new drug that slows the progression of a common eye problem.

The drug faricimab may soon be offered to patients being treated for retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a leading cause of vision loss in people over 60.

Current treatments for the condition require injections into the eye once a month, but the new drug is so effective that evidence shows that only three injections a year are needed.

Experts say this could be a “huge step” for patients suffering from the degenerative disease.

RVO occurs when one of the small blood vessels at the back of the eye is blocked by a clot.

This causes blood and other fluids to enter the retina, causing bruising and swelling.

Although it eventually subsides, the leakage often continues and can eventually lead to blindness as the build-up of fluid permanently damages the eye.

The exact cause of RVO is unknown, but several conditions make it more likely, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.

Studies suggest that 50,000 Britons contract RVO each year, most of whom are over 60. The current injections can repair the damage to the veins, but they must be given directly into the eye every month.

Studies suggest that 50,000 Britons suffer from retinal vein occlusion (RVO) every year, most of whom are over 60, which can lead to sight loss (file photo of a blind person)

“This means patients spend a lot of time in the hospital,” says dr. Christiana Dinah, Ophthalmologist at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

However, research suggests that faricimab, developed by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, is just as effective as current drugs, but that the time between treatments can be extended by up to four months.

Experts say this is because the treatment is also able to lower blood levels of a compound called Ang2, which at high levels can cause leakage in blood vessels.

“It feels like a big step forward,” says dr. Dinah. “Currently thousands of hours are put into the NHS every year to carry out these injections. If we could reduce the number of executions, it would free up more time for doctors and reduce worrying waiting lists.”