Complete findings for this study are in the journal "Ophthalmology."
A drug typically prescribed to cancer patients may also treat one of the most common eye diseases seen in people over age 65.
A new study finds the cancer drug Avastin delivers the same benefits as the drug Lucentis, which is given to people with age-related macular degeneration.
"The one-year results showed the two drugs were equally effective, but there were still some unanswered questions. The 2 year results answer some of those questions and confirm that the drugs are indeed equally effective over a two-year period, " says Dr. Daniel Martin, an ophthalmologist at Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute and led the study.
Dr. Martin and his team of researchers compared the effectiveness of Avastin and Lucentis on more than 1,100 people over 2 years. Results show visual acuity improvement was virtually the same for both drugs.
The biggest difference between the two drugs is the cost. Avastin can save patients hundreds of dollars per dose.
Dr. Martin says the results should provide options for patients.
"Patients can proceed with confidence knowing that both drugs, Lucentis and Avastin are highly effective for the treatment of wet macular degeneration, no matter how they're given."
