Implantable Miniature Telescopes

The newly approved implantable miniature telescope made a difference in the vision of some end stage macular degeneration patients, according to a study reported in the September issue of the journal Ophthalmology. The two-year study conducted by Gary C. Brown, MD, of the Center for Value-Based Medicine, showed improvement in vision from 20/236 to 20/141 in 76 of the patients who received the implant. The FDA will follow these patients for five years to see long term effects. Patients in the study averaged 75 years old, did not have cataract surgery, and had stopped responding to drug treatment. Extensive vision testing precedes the surgery and vision training must follow it. Patients need to be informed of the risks, such as corneal endothelial cell loss which can affect corneal clarity.

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