( four weeks when the treating consultant...)UK Suggestion for Restricted Use of Anti-AMD Drugs Draws Flak,Health

four weeks when the treating consultant decides about the need for further injections. In practice patients are likely to receive eight injections in the first year and six injections in the second year with further treatment depending on the progression of the disease.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said it was "outraged" by Nice's ruling, which is still open to consultation. A final ruling on the drugs is expected in September.

RNIB's head of campaigns Steve Winyard said: "This preliminary guidance is worse than we ever imagined it could be.

"Anti-VEGF drugs have the potential to halve the number of people going blind each year and patients in the UK who can benefit from them must all have them - and quickly."

Tom Bremridge, chief executive of the Macular Disease Society, said: "We are appalled by the Nice consultation document - limiting the treatment options to 20 per cent of patients who would benefit is unjustifiable and allowing one eye to go blind before treating the second eye is cruel and totally unacceptable."

Nice is seeking to rationalize its decision on cost grounds. Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said: "When treatments are very expensive, we have to use them where they give most benefit to patients.

"Most people with AMD only seek help once the disease is beginning to affect their second eye.

"Because of this, and based on the evidence they have seen, our independent advisory committee believes the right thing to do is to treat and try to save as much sight as possible in the better-seeing eye."

A Nice spokeswoman also said it was "misleading" for anyone to suggest that patients have to go blind in one eye before getting treatment.

Patients in Scotland can already get both drugs, although there is concern that ruling will be overturned in light of Nice's decision. Former Labour MP Alice Mahon, who hers
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