Lucentis treats age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the most common cause of sight loss in the country.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) last year said patients would have to wait until they went blind in one eye before they received the drug – sparking outcry from campaigners and doctors.

But now the drug has been made available on the NHS following a u-turn by NICE last December.

Joyce Phipps, chairwoman of blind charity organisation Sight Service based in Gordon Street, South Shields, today hailed the move as a massive step in the right direction.

She said the drug – introduced under new guidelines this week – could save lives.

Mrs Phipps, who has been chairman of the Jarrow, Hebburn and Boldon Blind Club for more than 30 years, and was diagnosed with AMD when she was 16, said: "It's marvellous news. It should have been introduced years ago.

"Imagine how you would feel not seeing the world properly. I have forgotten what it's like to see things.

"A lot of people who suffer from AMD live alone and travel alone. It's really dangerous crossing the road when you don't have good sight.

"But now this new drug will make people see again, and could potentially save lives by allowing them to have vision."

Macular degeneration usually affects older people, and is closely linked to age. However, there are cases, such as that of Mrs Phipps, who are diagnosed at a younger age.

The introduction of the guidelines comes after a unique agreement between NICE and the drug's manufacturer, Novartis.

Under the deal, the NHS will only fund 14 injections, with the cost of any more being met by manufacturer Novartis in a scheme dubbed 'dose capping'.

Age-related macular degeneration comes in two forms – wet and dry – with the dry form being much more common.

The wet type is more aggressive and is responsible for about 90 per cent of blindness caused by the condition.

The final guidance recommends Lucentis for treating wet AMD.

NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon described Lucentis as an "expensive drug" – it costs more than £10,000 for each eye treated – but effective.

He said: "AMD results in reduced quality of life and increased risks of illness, particularly in relation to accidents, and psychological ill-health."

Mr Dillon also said the cost-sharing deal could potentially mean significant savings for the NHS.