Health Minister David Ashford says a service to help people with a condition that can lead to vision-loss has been a success.

There has been a large reduction in the number of patients who have to travel to Liverpool for treatment.

’By any measure the local service for people with age-related macular degeneration has been a success,’ he said.

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) - also known as wet macular disease - is a leading cause of vision-loss for people aged 50 and above.

It damages the macula, a small spot near the centre of the retina and the part of the eye needed for sharp, central vision, which allows a person to see objects straight ahead.

Mr Ashford, in response to a House of Keys question tabled by his predecessor Kate Beecroft (LibVannin, Douglas South), said: ’The most common treatment for ARMD is to slow the progression of the condition by injecting drugs into the eye. Most patients need monthly injections.’

Before January 2015, Manx patients had to travel to Liverpool for treatment.

Working with Aintree NHS Trust, Noble’s Hospital set up a satellite clinic which can see up to 41 patients a fortnight.

But about 15% of ARMD patients are still travelling for treatment, said Mr Ashford.

In addition, patients with dry macular disease and other retinal problems have to travel off island.

’The department has started a procurement exercise to secure a service with the capacity to see all ARMD patients on island and to extend the service to a number of other medical retina conditions where currently there is no local service,’ he said.

The extended service will be in place by October.