Latest advances in retinal treatment available now from Moorfields Private

Mr Peter Addison

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon

Specialist in conditions of the retina and uveitis, an educator and researcher, recognised with multiple clinical excellence awards.

Latest advances in AMD treatment are helping to reduce the burden of care while maintaining excellent visual outcomes for many patients. Newer anti-VEGF therapies, such as faricimab and high dose aflibercept, offer greater treatment durability, enabling some patients with neovascular AMD to achieve longer intervals between injections and clinic visits compared with earlier treatment regimens. The aim remains to balance disease control and visual preservation with patient convenience, particularly for older individuals who may face challenges attending frequent appointments.

Another important development is the increasing availability of biosimilars. Biosimilars are highly similar versions of established biological medicines, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety, efficacy or quality. Ranibizumab biosimilars are now widely used across the NHS, helping to expand access to effective medical retina treatments while supporting the sustainability of healthcare services.

In private practice, patient choice remains central. Both biosimilar and branded anti-VEGF medicines are available, allowing treatment decisions to be tailored to individual clinical needs and preferences. Community optometrists play a key role in supporting patient understanding of these options and reinforcing the importance of ongoing monitoring and adherence to treatment pathways.

Mr Bishwanath Pal

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon

Medical retina specialist offering patients innovative solutions for complex retinal diseases.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a specialist “cold laser” treatment that remains highly effective for selected retinal conditions, particularly chronic or recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

One of the challenges we see in practice is that chronic or recurrent CSCR is often observed for too long before treatment is considered. Persistent subretinal fluid can eventually lead to irreversible retinal damage and poorer visual outcomes.

PDT works by using an intravenous infusion of verteporfin followed by a low-energy laser treatment to target the abnormal choroidal circulation responsible for leakage. At Moorfields Private, we commonly use reduced-dose PDT, which offers an excellent balance of efficacy and safety.

Studies have reported fluid resolution in more than 70% and, in selected patients, up to 90%, with corresponding anatomical and visual improvement.

Why early referral matters

Access to PDT can be challenging because of the ongoing global shortage of verteporfin, which has affected treatment availability in many centres. Despite this, PDT remains an important treatment option for carefully selected patients with chronic or recurrent CSCR.

For opticians, the key message is simple: don’t simply watch recurrent or persistent subretinal fluid indefinitely. Early specialist assessment may help prevent chronic retinal changes and preserve vision.