The debate over the two different treatments of macular degeneration, Avastin and Lucentis, is continuing as new research figures emerge. A study suggests that the significantly cheaper drug Avastin is just as effective as the more expensive Lucentis to stop progressing blindness.

The study tested the effectiveness of both drugs with 1,200 patients over a period of four weeks.

Dr. Paul Sternberg, employed at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute in Nashville said he would be telling his patients that `there are two drugs that are available; the effectiveness is comparable and the cost is certainly different'. In the future more patients are expected to choose Avastin.

Still, safety concerns remain concerning the more affordable version of the drug. According to another study, 24% of Avastin patients were hospitalized compared to only 19% of those treated with Lucentis. While the risk of suffering a stroke is statistically higher for patients on Avastin, the risk remains minimal in both cases. "The difference in risk of hemorrhagic stroke we found in the first analysis is a difference of 1.5 events per 1,000 person years -- a very rare event", said Dr. Emily Gower of John Hopkins University.

Trevor Mundel of Novartis Pharma said that the research showed that both drugs were different and that his company believed that Lucentis was the superior choice for patients.

Both drugs are manufactured by pharmaceutical company Roche Holding AG and Novartis. Lucentis sales currently generate US$ 1.5 million per year. The growing market had analysts predict a future profit margin of US$ 10 billion for the drug. Around 13 million Americans show signs of macular degeneration.