EYE FOCUS | NEWS
Sightrestoring gene therapy approved
Health Canada has approved for the first time a sightrestoring gene therapy for inherited eye diseases .
Voretigene neparvovec ( brand name Luxturna ) is the first targeted gene therapy approved in Canada for any disease .
The treatment is for individuals with the inherited blinding eye diseases retinitis pigmentosa or Leber congenital
amaurosis , which result from mutations in the RPE65 gene that leads to vision loss and eventually blindness .
“ Lives will be transformed in Canada because of approval of this research-delivered groundbreaking treatment . For the first time , it means we have a treatment option – bringing hope to families affected by genetic mutations causing blindness and to everyone in the vision loss community ,” said Doug Earle , president and CEO , Fighting Blindness Canada .
The cost of illness for inherited retinal diseases is $ 1.6 billion , according to IRD Counts Canada . More than 80 per cent of those costs are borne by families , Earle said .
“ People with vision loss due to the RPE65 mutation for the first time in history have a chance for improved vision . And now , it ’ s the provincial government ’ s turn . Health Canada ’ s approval of the treatment will not mean much if Canadian families can ’ t afford to access it . We are calling on the provinces to fund this groundbreaking treatment for Canadian families in need ,” he said .
Fighting Blindness Canada is urging eye health practitioners to encourage their patients and families to continue supporting the science by getting their genetic testing done .
A Canadian Buying Group for Canadian Opticians and Optometrists
“ Genetic testing will identify if they can be treated now and help advance research of all inherited blinding eye diseases ,” says Earle .
Visit FightingBlindness . ca to obtain a step-by-step guide of how to get genetic testing done .
For more information about Luxturna , how to get genetic testing or to join Fighting Blindness Canada ’ s patient registry , contact healthinfo @ fightingblindness . ca or 1.888.626.2995 . EF
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24 EYE FOCUS December Digital 2020