A patients' group yesterday called upon the government to provide financial aids to elderly patients suffering from aged-related macular degeneration (AMD) who number about 160,000 in Hong Kong.

Given that these patients have to bear a medical cost of as much as HK$20,000 per year, many of them worry that the day may come when they cannot afford the treatment anymore and become blind.

Last year, Retina Hong Kong, a patients self-help group, conducted a survey of 101 AMD patients and their family members. About 80 percent of them said their biggest worry was that they would end up blind, while 60 percent worried they would lose their working ability and have to bear the huge financial burden, said Tsang Kin-ping, chairman of the organization.

He discussed with the Hospital Authority for several years on subsidizing AMD patients or even granting them status of social security recipients, but the authority rejected the request.

While continuing his lobbying efforts, Tsang hoped to help the patients by raising HK$5-6 million a year from the society.

Dr Wico Lai, clinical associate professor of the University of Hong Kong's Eye Institute, said there are two types of AMD, namely: the "dry" form and the more serious "wet" form, which can rapidly damage the macula and result in very quick loss of central vision.

"There is no effective treatment for dry AMD patients and they do not get cured after just one treatment," Lai said. "But recent studies show that not only can intravitreal injection together with the ranibizumab treatment stop eyesight deterioration in 90 percent of wet AMD patients,it makes significant improvement in their vision as well."

AMD patient Madam Lau (63) was diagnosed with the disorder last year. She went to a public hospital where she received injection and laser treatment at a cost of over HK$9,400. She sought treatment again this year as her condition worsened. She hopes the government will subsidize the AMD patients.

(HK Edition 05/31/2008 page1)