A life-changing new drug is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for elderly Australians with a devastating eye condition that causes vision loss.

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) can’t be cured but it is hoped the treatment – injections of the drug vabysmo – will improve sight for tens of thousands of patients.

Patient Sushil Pillai, 60, from Sydney’s Inner West has been having injections in his eye for three years to allow him to see again.

”I was very, very apprehensive when they told me they were going to put an injection in my eye,” he said.

“The vision on my right eye was blurry, couldn’t focus on things”

He was diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion, a blockage that causes fluid to build up in the eye.

RVO is most common in people over the age of 60. It can lead to vision loss, blurred eyesight and colour distortion.

A total of 20,000 people in Australia are affected, and that number is expected to grow.

“It can impact their ability to read. It can impact ability to hold a driving licence.” ophthalmologist Dr Hemal Mehta said.

Vabysmo is the first injectable eye treatment that works to stop the blockage.

It has only been available through a clinical trial until now.

The federal government has added the drug to the PBS, slashing the cost from $934 a course to $7.70 for pensioners and concession card holders and $31.60 for other patients. 

“This new drug is not only highly effective, more effective than some of the others on the market right now – it’s also the possibility of longer intervals between injections,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.

“This is a major step forward compared to treatments we’ve had previously,” Dr Mehta said.