Avastin can save the sight of patients with ocular melanoma

December 31, 2009

New advancements in the treatment of eye cancers could save the vision of patients. Avastin, a drug that stops the growth of abnormal blood vessels that provide nutrients to a tumor, can slow the spread of cancer and reduce the chances that patients with a growth in their eye will lose their vision.

The discovery might be a huge advancement in eye health, according to ScienceDaily.com.

"It's a real paradigm shift -- like antibiotics were for infections," Paul Finger, an ocular oncologist at the New York Eye Cancer Center in New York City told the news source. "This anti-blood-vessel drug is saving people's vision."

However, the way that Avastin is administered might make some patients a little squeamish. The drug is injected directly into the eye. Patients who benefit from the treatment will need to continue receiving the drug every six to eight weeks indefinitely.

Ocular melanoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that attacks the retina of the eye. If not detected early enough, the cancer might quickly spread to other parts of the body.

Experts recommend that patients visit their eye care professional on a regular basis to catch eye health problems as early as possible.