The grant will fund an African glaucoma laser trial to test the long-term clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new, pain-free laser treatment for glaucoma called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). CBM will evaluate whether the long-term costs and success rate of SLT are better than current treatment approaches involving the continued use of eye drops, with a view to recommending SLT as a primary glaucoma treatment across Africa.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Many people known to have glaucoma in SSA go inadequately treated for much of the time. CBM with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have developed an alternative treatment approach that provides an effective one-off intervention, which is affordable and sustainable.
Kirsty Smith, Chief Executive of CBM UK said: “Many patients in Sub Saharan Africa aren’t currently treated for glaucoma as it is either too expensive or logistically challenging for patients to access regular healthcare in rural communities. This laser treatment, which is already being used in some high-income countries, offers the possibility of a one-off long-term treatment lasting several years which could lead to a major impact in halting glaucoma progression and its associated visual loss.”
Standard Chartered Bank’s Seeing is Believing
Seeing is Believing is a global initiative to tackle avoidable blindness, and is a collaboration between Standard Chartered (a leading international banking group) and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and its membership of eye health organisations.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
The London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health. For further information please visit: www.lshtm.ac.uk/
NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is a partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. Established in April 2007, its purpose is to conduct 'translational research' that is designed to take advances in basic medical research from the laboratory to the clinic, enabling patients to benefit more quickly from new scientific breakthroughs. www.brcophthalmolgy.org/
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the world’s leading eye hospitals, providing expertise in clinical care, research and education. We have provided excellence in eye care for more than 200 years and we continue to be at the forefront of new breakthroughs and developments.
www.moorfields.nhs.uk
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For further press information, including case studies, pictures or interviews with spokespeople from CBM please contact the CBM media team on 01223 484700, clarer@cbmuk.org.uk.
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