Treatment for failing eyesight to be withdrawn from prescription list

Thursday 26 October 2023

Within months 500 people at risk of failing eyesight will no longer be able to get a vitamin treatment on prescription.

Health & Social Care has decided to remove Viteyes from the prescribing list after advice from experts.

Viteyes are marketed to prevent Age-related Macular Degeneration, but the evidence was never strong enough for it to be prescribed on the NHS.

The product can still be bought from pharmacies and opticians.

“In the past HSC approved the prescribing of these vitamin supplements as patients had to travel off island to receive treatment and not everyone was able or willing to do so,” said HSC vice-president Deputy Tina Bury.

Pictured: Deputy Tina Bury.

“Viteyes were therefore approved in the Bailiwick before the specialist on- island service began. But we now have an excellent local specialist service run by the Ophthalmic Department. This offers injected biologic products, some of which are new NICE TA drugs, that are more effective than Viteyes and are also sourced at the significant NHS discounts.

“We completely understand that this decision won’t be welcome news for some people receiving Viteyes on prescription at the moment. However, HSC must make best use of its finances and difficult decisions need to be made.”

Access to Viteyes on prescription will stop at the end of the year. 

“We will be able to save up to £85,000 plus fees each year and this money will become available to fund other treatments and services. Decisions such as this, as difficult as they are, are crucial particularly in the current financial climate.

“Anyone concerned about their eye health is advised to discuss this with their GP or Optometrist.”