Southfields’ Joan Armstrong is a step closer to saving her sight after three other near-blind pensioners triumphed in a landmark High Court case last week.

Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has finally agreed to treat the claimants, who, like Mrs Armstrong, suffer from the common eye condition wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), which backed the case, hopes Wandsworth PCT will now follow suit.

Mrs Armstrong said: “This is a small step, but we’ll keep fighting. They think that you’ll give up, that you’ll be worn down. But we won’t.”

In last week’s case, Warwickshire PCT agreed a financial deal outside of court with the drug manufacturer Novartis, and afterwards agreed to treat Jean Middleton, 78, Raymond Liggins, 76 and Patricia Meadows, 65.

The RNIB is now advising other PCTs to come to a similar arrangement with the company to avoid further court action.

Mrs Armstrong, an 82-year-old Southfields resident, has been denied NHS funding for the drug Lucentis, which could stop her from going blind.

She has resorted to spending £6,000 on three injections, but could need many more and can barely afford it.

Steve Winyard at the RNIB, said: “For other PCTs currently denying sight saving treatment to patients in their care, our message is clear: change your policy now. The treatments are available and the financial barriers are down so end this national scandal by giving patients in your care the treatment they need to save their sight."

Tim Davies at Warwickshire PCT said: “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Novartis so we can routinely provide Lucentis to those who meet the Final Appraisal Determination’s criteria.”

Wandsworth PCT said it treats patients with the condition if they meet the PCT’s criteria, and said until the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issues national guidance for Lucentis, PCTs will develop their own criteria.

It added: "Wandsworth Teaching PCT's policy on the treatment for AMD will be reviewed in the light of any emerging local or national guidance."

  • Contact the RNIB on 0845 766 9999 or the Macular Disease Society on 0845 241 2041.