Minister McGimpsey visits Mater’s macular service

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has visited a clinic at the Mater Hospital that treats patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

The Macular Clinic at the Mater, which opened in April 2009, provides a one-stop-shop service where a patient can have their first outpatient treatment, any diagnostics required, and if indicated, have their first injection all within a single visit.

Wet AMD is a disease that gradually destroys vision, progresses rapidly and without treatment is likely to cause significant vision loss or blindness. Treatment is by injection to the affected eye with a drug designed to halt damage to blood vessels at the back of the eye.

Speaking during the visit, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “The loss of central vision caused by wet AMD can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. Simple tasks become difficult or impossible and people’s ability to live independently can be compromised.

“The drug treatment for this condition can make a real difference to an older person’s independence and ability to do everyday tasks. Almost £5million has been invested over the last two years to introduce this treatment in Northern Ireland, and I welcome the opportunity to be here to see how this new service is helping people with wet AMD.”

The Minister toured the Macular Clinic where he met patients and staff and saw a demonstration of the imaging equipment used to diagnose and monitor patients, as well as a demonstration of the intravitreal injection procedure.

The Minister said: “The introduction of this treatment has required a significant expansion of the existing macular service, and I pay tribute to the professional and dedicated staff here who have worked hard to establish this new service and who are providing the best possible standard of care to their patients.”

Notes to editors:

1. Age related macular degeneration is a disease associated with ageing that gradually destroys sharp, central vision, although the peripheral vision is usually preserved. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60 years of age, with almost a third of people over 75 affected.
2. Wet AMB affects up to 750 people in Northern Ireland each year.
3. Over the last two years, approximately £5million revenue funding has been allocated to introduce this service in Northern Ireland. The treatment requires regular injections and monitoring.
4. The Macular Service at the Mater Hospital was established in April 2009 to assess and treat patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). The clinic provides a 'one-stop-shop' service where a patient can have their first outpatient treatment, any diagnostics required and, if indicated, have their first injection all within a single visit. The Department allocated £442,000 capital funding to the Belfast Trust in 2009/10 to provide equipment for the Macular Service, including an argon laser, specialist camera and imaging system.
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