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New drug lets golfer, 81, keep eye on the ball
A KEEN golfer forced to rely on his partners to follow his ball after he was struck by a debilitating eye condition has received sight-restoring treatment using a drug used to treat cancer.
Keen golfer Derek Mitchell, 81, had also almost given up reading due to the condition known as retinal vein occlusion which severely affected vision in his left eye.
Doctors first thought they could do nothing to treat the problem, but now his sight has been significantly improved using the drug Avastin
which usually used to treat bowel cancer.
The condition is caused due to the blocking of a vein at the back of the eye which keeps the retina – the light sensitive part of the eye –
healthy.
Mr Mitchell, of Fixby, Huddersfield, found his sight gradually worsening over two years.
He sought private treatment from specialist Oliver Backhouse at the Yorkshire Eye Hospital at Apperley Bridge, near Bradford, who suggested using Avastin. A number of reports have suggested it can successfully treat the condition through injections into the affected eye similar to therapy given to people with wet age-related macular degeneration.
The drug is not officially licensed for the treatment and is not available on the NHS but doctors can prescribe it if they believe it will be effective.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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