New treatment approved for blindness in diabetes

New treatment approved for one of the leading causes of blindness in people with diabetes

• EYLEA® (aflibercept) approved in New Zealand for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME) in adults1C
• Auckland area has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the country with more than 91,600 people reported to be living with diabetes2A,2B,2C
• Diabetic retinopathy is present at the time of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in up to 30% of individuals. There is good evidence that progression to DME is associated with duration of disease 3A

Auckland 16 June 2015: New Zealand doctors now have another tool to combat vision loss in people with diabetes following the approval of Bayer’s EYLEA (afilbercept) for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME) in adults.

DME may develop from an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is a complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes8A, and has been identified to be one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss in working-age people with diabetes.4A,

Macular Degeneration New Zealand Chair, Dr Dianne Sharp says “Everyone with diabetes – both type 1 and type 2 – is at risk of developing some form of diabetic eye disease with potential sight-threatening complications. DME is the most common cause of vision loss in diabetics and treatment options for diabetic macular oedema, restoring central vision, are life-changing for our New Zealand patients”.

Dr Sharp adds “For many patients this may allow them to return to work, keep their driver’s licence, and be able to read, watch TV and recognise faces. Retaining central vision is critical to daily living.”

Ministry of Health New Zealand estimates for the number of people with diabetes in New Zealand exceeds 200,000, but it is also believed that another 100,000 people have diabetes but are undiagnosed7.

While there is limited data showing current numbers of people suffering from DME in New Zealand, it has been estimated that diabetic retinopathy affects about one in four people with diabetes, becoming more likely as the duration of the disease increases.6B

The underlying cause of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema is damage (caused by abnormal blood glucose levels) to the blood vessels feeding the retina (the lining of light-sensitive cells along the back of the eye). DME occurs when blood vessel leakage affects the macula, the centre of the retina that facilitates pinpoint vision that allows us to read and recognise faces.5A,8E

Symptoms of DME can include blurred or double vision, the appearance of blind or dark spots, colours appearing washed-out, distorted lines and, if DME is left untreated, it can eventually lead to severe vision loss and blindness.8B,8C,8D

“The approval of EYLEA for those living with DME provides treating doctors with another tool to combat vision loss in their patients, which is so important in supporting our aim of helping New Zealanders maintain their independence,” says Dr Sharp.

EYLEA works by blocking the triggers (known as VEGF) believed to be involved in the growth of these abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the retina. Treatment involves one injection per month for the first five consecutive months, followed by one injection every two months.1B

EYLEA approved indications in New Zealand1C
EYLEA (aflibercept) is indicated in adults for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
For further information about EYLEA please speak with a healthcare professional and access the full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available at: www.medsafe.govt.nz

Important safety information
The most frequently observed adverse reactions (in at least 5% of patients treated with EYLEA) were conjunctival haemorrhage (24.7%), eye pain (10.1%), intraocular pressure increased (7.1%), vitreous detachment (6.8%), vitreous floaters (6.7%) and cataract (6.6%).1D

EYLEA is contraindicated for patients with known hypersensitivity to aflibercept or to any of the excipients, ocular or periocular infection, and active severe intraocular inflammation.1E For further information on precautions and adverse events, please refer to the Consumer Medicine Information.

EYLEA is not funded. A prescription charge and normal doctor’s visits fees apply.

ENDS

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