The CentraSight telescope implant is currently available to patients 65 and older with end-stage macular degeneration (AMD) in both eyes who have not had cataract surgery, a common eye procedure for seniors.  Patients who no longer benefit from anti-VEGF eye injections or any other medical treatment as determined by their eye specialist may be a candidate for the implant. The device is implanted in one eye and works by magnifying images onto healthy portions of the retina improving one’s straight ahead or central vision for close-up and distant viewing.  The telescope and procedure is FDA approved and Medicare reimbursed for eligible patients.

The eye surgery takes a relatively short amount of time but adjusting to a new way of seeing may take several months.  The brain needs help, time and training to see in a new way.  After the procedure patients participate in several sessions with a low vision specialist to help them use their new “vision” to read, cook, shop, or perform other everyday activities and hobbies. Peripheral vision in the implanted eye is diminished and the need for more light may increase.  While the implant improves a patient’s central vision and quality of life, it does not provide the same vision a patient had before his AMD.

A new study seeks to expand the number of people with AMD who may benefit from the CentraSight Implantable Miniature Telescope.  This clinical trial, sponsored by VisionCare, Inc, will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the implant in end-stage AMD patients who have had cataract surgery in the eye that will receive the telescope.

Blake Michaels, President and CEO of VisionCare, Inc. explains, “We developed the telescope implant to help older adults with severely impaired central vision live more independently and improve their vision.  Hundreds of patients have experienced the CentraSight treatment program and learned to use their new, improved vision effectively.  We hope the results of this study will allow us to offer the telescope implant to an even broader population of patients who are currently excluded because they had a routine eye surgery in the past.”

The name of the study is Telescope Exchange Study and is listed at www.ClinicalTrials.gov.   Several locations in multiple states are currently recruiting participants who must be 65 years or older, have had cataract surgery, and meet other study requirements.   You can find more information here:

Telescope Exchange Study

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com