THE Andover-based Macular Disease Society has welcomed news that patients at risk of going blind will have their sight saved thanks to a decision by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

But the society said the decision comes after two years of unnecessary delay.

Chief executive Tom Bremridge said: "We are very pleased and relieved that NICE has issued this long-awaited final guidance.

"Thousands of patients with the wet type of macular degeneration - who are at grave risk of losing their precious remaining sight quite suddenly - have prayed for this day to arrive. That day is finally here.

"Those responsible for NICE should be aware that during the cumbersome two-year review process 152 Primary Care Trusts have individually had the power to decide whether to let patients go blind or to save their sight. The resulting stress and suffering has been cruel and unnecessary.

"Many hundreds of vulnerable patients have been subjected to an appalling emotional rollercoaster ride for the past two years - during which many of them have lost their remaining sight.

"We call on Primary Care Trusts, Hospital Trusts and individual consultants to implement this guidance without further delay."

The decision means that the first 14 injections of the sight-saving drug Lucentis will be paid for by the NHS, but if the patient needs more treatment the manufacturer Novartis will pay for extra injections.

The Macular Disease Society, one of the country's leading charities in the visual impairment sector, is also asking the Government to deliver the promises made in the recent report by the Health Minister Lord Darzi to stop the treatment postcode lottery.