Praise for Conquest

Manzar Saeed and Pieter Gouws, who are consultant ophthalmologists at the Conquest, are both using the new treatment.

Those benefiting are patients suffering from wet macular degeneration, which affects a quarter-of-a-million people in the UK.

Macular degeneration is damage to the 'macula' - a small area at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly.

It is estimated that, out of the 2,500 or more people registered blind in East Sussex, around 175 suffer from wet macular degeneration caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels behind the macula.

Mr Saeed said: "This condition is very common among the elderly population and up until recently there was no effective treatment available.

"There is now a new injection which has been found for the first time to improve vision in most patients.

"The drug was licensed earlier this year and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently appraising the results."

So far, Mr Saeed has 12 patients on his books to receive this treatment - and a number already have.

He said: "So far we have seen very positive results. Of course, not all patients are suitable for this procedure and they have to undergo an assessment beforehand to make sure they are suitable."

If a patient receives the go-ahead, they then receive an injection each month for three months, and then further injections may be required for one or two years.

Mr Saeed said: "This is great news for Hastings because patients who previously needed the treatment would be referred to Brighton or London.

"With this new service development, soon East Sussex Hospitals will establish as the regional treatment centres for macular degeneration."