| The implantable telescope helps to improve vision | | | | United States. However, the telescope has |
| for those with advanced age related macular | | | | already been approved for use in Europe. |
| degeneration (AMD). Advanced macular | | | | Well known eye centers like Wilmer |
| degeneration is end-stage AMD resulting from | | | | Ophthalmological Institute in Baltimore, Maryland |
| either dry or wet AMD. This would include patients | | | | and Emory Eye Center in Atlanta were some of |
| who are no longer candidates for receiving eye | | | | the study sites. Over 200 patients participated in |
| injections such as Lucentis or Avastin. | | | | the study. |
| The miniature telescope is placed into the eye | | | | Patients have experienced improved vision and |
| with the poorest vision. The telescope actually | | | | improved quality of life. It does not restore lost |
| replaces the existing lens and magnifies images | | | | vision to normal vision but does restore some of |
| 2.5x. Cornea specialists who are trained by Vision | | | | the lost central vision. Patients are able to see |
| Care perform the implant procedure. The | | | | things they were not able to see before such as |
| telescope works by directing light from the new | | | | see faces and writings in books or magazines. |
| lens to parts of the macula that are still | | | | The FDA website reports these results: |
| functioning. | | | | "In a 219-patient, multi-center clinical study of the |
| Patients first try an external version of the | | | | IMT, 90 percent of patients achieved at least a |
| telescope to see how it works for them. Training | | | | 2-line gain in either their distance or best-corrected |
| by a low vision specialist is necessary to teach | | | | visual acuity, and 75 percent of patients improved |
| the patient how to coordinate their vision - with | | | | their level of vision from severe or profound |
| one eye having central vision and the other eye | | | | impairment to moderate impairment." |
| peripheral vision - before and after the implant. | | | | Not everyone with macular degeneration is eligible |
| Macular degeneration research for the implantable | | | | for the telescopic implant. Other eye conditions |
| device began in 2006 at 28 eye centers in the | | | | can exclude you as well as other eye treatments. |