A new study suggests that giving patients a stronger dose of an existing eye drug could help slow vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older adults.

Doctors at Shanghai General Hospital tested whether doubling the dose of conbercept, a widely used injection for the “wet” form of AMD, would bring bigger benefits. Thirty-three patients took part in the trial. Half received the standard dose, while the others received a higher dose for three months and then continued as needed.

The results were encouraging. After just three months, patients on the stronger dose saw clearer improvements in vision compared to those on the regular dose. The extra strength also appeared to keep harmful fluid from coming back as quickly, suggesting longer-lasting protection for eyesight. Importantly, the higher dose was safe. No side effects linked to the treatment were reported in either group during the year-long study.

“Even a slight boost in vision can make daily tasks like reading or recognizing faces easier,” the researchers said. “Our early findings suggest a higher dose may give patients longer relief between treatments.”

While the study was small, its findings are fueling calls for larger trials to confirm whether doubling the dose of conbercept could become a game-changer in eye care — offering patients clearer sight and longer relief from a devastating disease.

 

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40896240/