#EndBlindness

Aims to #End Blindness  Background Today, we are launching our campaign to raise awareness and express our concerns about the increasing spread of vision impairment and blindness. This troubling situation has developed due to the ban imposed by the Punjab caretaker government in September 2023 on an off-label drug, Avastin, which was previously used to treat eye diseases. This ban was enacted without providing a low-cost alternative for eye patients. Although the ban was later lifted, there was a lack of proper notification to doctors and hospitals, who reported not receiving any communication until the time of this report. Impact of the Ban Ophthalmologists had been using Avastin off-label because it was cost-effective and affordable for low-income patients. The cost of Avastin was approximately Rs. 1200 per dose per eye in government-run hospitals and Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 in private hospitals, including hospital charges. Other alternative drugs, such as Partiza, Eylea, and Lu...

#endblindness Why Punjab government has denied access to an efficient and comparatively cheaper drug Avastin for eye treatment while better knowledged countries like USA and UK have allowed their financially strong population use of low cost drug Avastin? _______________ In countries with high per capita income and robust health security, the off-label use of Avastin (bevacizumab) for eye diseases is common. Avastin, originally approved by the Federal drug authority (FDA) to treat various cancers, is used off-label to treat eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema due to its cost-effectiveness compared to alternatives like Eylea and Lucentis. In contrast, Pakistan, which has a lower per capita income and less developed health security infrastructure, initially banned the use of Avastin for eye diseases. Despite the ban being lifted, there has been insufficient communication to doctors and hospitals, leading to continued reluctance to use ...

  #ENDBLINDNESS دس پندرہ سال کی بات ہے کہ میری دائیں آنکھ میں کچھ پرابلم تھا جب چیک کروایا  تو پتہ لگا کہ آنکھوں کی ایک بیماری جس کا نام  AMD ہے اور اس  کا علاج AVASTIN انجیکشن ہے. بهرحال میں avastin   انجیکشن لگواتا رہا. اس وقت اس انجیکشن کی قیمت  پرائویٹ ہسپتال میں تقریباً آٹھ ہزار روپیہ تھی۔ 2020 میں یہ دائیں  آنکھ  ضائع ہو گئی اور اسی سال چند مہینوں بعد دوسری یعنی بائیں  آنکھ میں بھی AMD   کی بیماری ہو گئی تو اس آنکھ میں بھی انجیکشن لگنے لگے۔  شروع میں تو ہسپتال اس انجیکشن اور لگانے کا خرچہ  آٹھ ہزار روپے ت اور 2020 تک اس کی قیمت 20000 ہوگئ۔ پھر 2023 میں نگراں حکومت  نے   Avastin Injection   کو آنکھوں کے علاج کے لئے استعمال سے منع کرنے کے احکامات جاری کر دئیے جو کہ ایک سستی دوا ہونے کے باعث عام لوگوں کی پہنچ میں تھی۔  Avastin   کی متبادل دوا patzira بہت مہنگی تھی۔ 2023 میں اس کی قیمت  47000 روپے تھی  اور ہسپتال کا خرچہ ملا کر مریض کو 70000 میں پڑتا تھا۔ جو کہ سب لوگ afford نہیں کر...

Understanding Age-Related Macular Degeneration Alexander J. Brucker, MD, an ophthalmologist at Penn Medicine's Scheie Eye Institute, discusses age-related macular degeneration, current treatments, and more.

 Aims to #End Blindness #EndBlindness Immediate Aim Convince punjab government to issue notification allowing doctors/hospitals  the use of low-cost drug (avastin) for eye diseases which they were using before sep 2023 ban on use of it or an alternate drug for approximately in same price they were paying previously. Long term Aims Create a forum for collecting and sharing latest information on diseases and their treatment, particularly for conditions like cataract, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome.

Aims to #End Blindness #EndBlindness Several eye diseases require the injection of drugs directly into the macula. These conditions often involve abnormal blood vessel growth or fluid leakage that can damage the macula and impair vision. The main diseases treated with injectable drugs into the macula include: 1. *Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)*: Particularly the wet form, where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and macula, leading to bleeding, leaking, and scarring. 2. *Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)*:  A complication of diabetes where fluid accumulates in the macula due to leaking blood vessels. 3. *Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)*:  Blockage of the veins that drain blood from the retina can lead to macular edema. 4. *Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV)*: Abnormal blood vessels that grow under the retina in patients with severe myopia. 5. *Macular Edema following Retinal Detachment*:  Fluid accumulation in the macula can occur after the retina has be...

#Aims to #End Blindness  If age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy (DR) are not followed and managed properly, the consequences can be severe and may lead to significant vision loss or blindness. Here are the potential outcomes for each condition: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) 1**.Progressive Vision Loss: AMD primarily affects the central vision, which is crucial for tasks like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Without monitoring and treatment, vision can deteriorate progressively. 2. *Loss of Central Vision*: Advanced AMD can lead to the loss of central vision, making it difficult to see fine details directly in front of you. 3. *Difficulty with Daily Activities*: Activities that require sharp vision, such as reading, cooking, and working on a computer, become challenging or impossible. 4. *Increased Risk of Depression*: Vision loss can significantly impact quality of life, leading to social isolation and depression. 5. *Potential for Legal ...

Aims to #End Blindness in Pakistan  The frequency of injections for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) varies based on the specific treatment regimen and the patient's response to the therapy. Here’s an overview: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - *Initial Treatment Phase*: Typically, patients receive monthly injections of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs, such as ranibizumab (Lucentis) or aflibercept (Eylea), for the first three months. - *Maintenance Phase*: After the initial phase, the frequency may be reduced to every 4-12 weeks depending on the patient's response. Some regimens follow a "treat and extend" approach, where the interval between injections is gradually increased as long as the condition remains stable. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) - *Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)*: For patients with PDR, anti-VEGF injections may initially be given monthly. Laser therapy is also a common treatment. - ...