UK patients who are in the process of going blind may have to lose their sight in one eye before receiving treatment on the NHS.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) said yesterday that only patients who suffer from age-related macular degeneration in both eyes should receive treatment.

NICE believes that patients should only receive photodynamic therapy in the eye that has suffered the least damage meaning that they will lose the sight in the other eye.

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind

Anita Lightstone, head of the low vision and prevention team, at the RNIB, told ePolitix.com: "This form of rationing is fundamentally wrong. First eye blindness has a major impact on quality of life. We are being asked to accept a standard of care that is lower than any other country in Europe.

"If this recommendation goes ahead a further 1,000 patients a year who could benefit from PDT will be denied the treatment."

Forum Response: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Robin Hutchinson, head of communications at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "Treating half of someone's kidney condition, or just one of two broken legs, would clearly be scandalous.

"Letting one eye deteriorate before saving the sight of the other is no less of a scandal, and to recommend this sort of healthcare rationing is very disturbing and potentially disastrous."