Thousands of patients who suffer from age-related blindness could have an improved chance of maintaining some sight if their condition undergoes a change of status, a group of healthcare experts claim.

AMD Alliance wants age-related macular degeneration to be treated as a chronic rather than acute condition.

They are warning that treating this form of blindness as “acute” rather than “chronic” could result in decreasing access, limiting patient outcomes and potentially endangering sight.

The macula is a part of the eye which sits in the centre of the retina and is responsible for the sharp details at the centre of the field of vision.

As the disease progresses that central vision deteriorates, making tasks such as reading and driving difficult.

Chronic disease is defined as persistent, lasting, generally incurable, and requiring ongoing treatment.

The AMD Alliance is a group of UK and international healthcare experts and organisations, comprising 70 patient groups from 26 countries.

Narinder Sharma, chief executive officer of the group, said: “For those of us involved in and concerned about vision care, this report highlights the need to continue advocating for patient access to the ongoing care that is required to prevent vision loss from wet AMD.

“The burden that this disease places on patients, caregivers, health care systems, and society at large can currently be relieved only through timely diagnosis, earlier intervention, and sustained therapy, all core practices for managing chronic conditions until there are newer, better treatments and hopefully one day a cure.”