The 206 patients in the study shared a number of characteristics, including stable, untreatable, age-related macular degeneration in both eyes with visual acuity no better than 20/80 but no worse than 20/800, along with good peripheral vision. A year after the trial was completed, 90 percent of patients were able to see two lines better on a reading chart, and 67 percent were able to see three lines better, which is the equivalent of doubling their vision, says Chet Kumar, VisionCare's director of business and market development.

Although implantable miniature telescopes are not a cure for macular degeneration, "FDA approval (of VisionCare's technology) will take a very desperate group of people and give them some hope," says Lane, a principal investigator at Associated Eye Care, who implanted six devices during VisionCare's Phase I trial.

Researchers are hopeful that implantable miniature telescopes will usher in successful treatment for patients with age-related macular degeneration. "We are waiting for the FDA to approve the device,'' Colby says, "so we can begin placing the device."

2 Comments

1. 1. eyefirst 04:23 PM 9/12/10

   Dear sir my wife has AMD on her right eye and this implant seems to help people with this condition so i am very interested in knowing more about it and the cost i am in england so i will have to travell to US so please help me with all the information thanks . my E mail periesmn@aol.com

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

2. 2. emorosko 12:12 PM 6/22/11

   I have a young 83 year old brother that is a Priest and legally blind due to Macular degeneration and it is getting progressively worse. He still says Mass (he has it memorized) but cannot do funerals, marriages, etc. He is still very active as a Priest and reading has always been his passion. Can you please give me information on this surgery as far as how to go about having him evaluated for the surgery, etc. He is very much interested in having this done. My e-mail address is edmorosko@yahoo.com.
   Thank you so much for your time.
   Eelyn

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this