CNIB welcomes the news that Health Canada has approved Lucentis for the treatment of vision loss resulting from diabetic macular edema (DME). Lucentis is the first approved treatment of its class for DME in Canada.
“Almost all people who have had diabetes for 20 years or more experience some levels of retinopathy, a condition which robs people of their sight. In fact, a large proportion of CNIB clients have lost their vision as a result of DME,” Dr. Keith Gordon, Vice-President, Research of CNIB. “For this reason, we are delighted that a treatment which can help to restore some sight in a significant number of people is now approved by Health Canada for use by patients with DME.”
About DME
People with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at high risk of developing a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to elevated blood glucose levels. When these vessels swell and leak, the leaking fluid causes swelling in the macula, the central part of the retina at the back of the eye where sharp vision is determined. Macular edema, the swelling of the macula, may then result in blurred vision and, while it can occur at any stage of retinopathy, it is more likely to occur as the disease progresses.
About Lucentis
Lucentis is an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medication created by Novartis and has been approved by Health Canada for use in the treatment of DME (diabetic macular edema), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lucentis has gone through extensive and rigorous clinical trials and been approved for ophthalmic use by Health Canada.
For media inquiries:
Sarah Snowdon
416-486-2500 ext. 7157
Fax: 416-486-7700
sarah.snowdon@cnib.ca