NICE suggests NHS needs to speed up care for those with Macular Degeneration

New guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) claim that patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) need quicker diagnosis and treatment to avoid blindness.

The guidelines go on to say that those suffering the most severe forms of AMD should commence treatment within 14 days of diagnosis, stating that thousands of elderly patients were currently being left to suffer “terrifying” consequences.

Spokesman Professor Mark Baker, Director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, makes the observation that quick intervention can be critical, saying: “AMD can be a life changing condition for people if it is not identified early on”.

Sources:

1. The Telegraph:
   NHS urged to act more quickly to stop elderly patients going blind).

2. NICE:
   Opportunity to improve care for people with suspected late stage macular degeneration, says NICE.