Laser eye treatment

A laser treatment developed by Prof John Marshall from the Rayne Institute at King’s College London could help reverse the effects of AMD (age-related macular degeneration), the leading cause of blindness in over 60s in the western world.

Improvements to sight were reported in early proof-of-concept trials.

AMD affects more than 200,000 people in the UK and attacks the central vision.

It develops when a membrane at the back of the eye becomes clogged with natural waste materials produced by the light-sensitive cells, which clouds vision.

In youthful eyes, enzymes clear away the debris, but as the ageing process sets in this system can fail.

The painless 'short pulse' laser works by boosting the release of the enzymes to clean away the waste without damaging the cells that enable humans to see.