Inherited retinal diseases target of potential treatments

Forty potential new treatments for inherited retinal diseases are under development, according to a review by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Horizon Scanning Centre (HSC), working with charitable organization Fight for Sight.

The promising technologies - identified through consultations and focus groups with patients, families, caregivers and eye health professionals - include nine gene therapy approaches, ten medical devices, five drugs and five regenerative and cell development approaches. Eleven additional technologies are at a very early stage of development. Most of the technologies identified are in clinical trials or are expected to be soon.

"With further support and funding, these therapies and technologies could have a major impact on people's lives," says Michele Acton, chief executive of Fight for Sight.

For more information on the review visit the NIHR HSC website here.