Vision-Aiding Implantable Device, Approved By The FDA

Filed in archive Other Biotechnology News on July 7, 2010

© paul (dex)

The use of micro-sized implantable telescopes to improve vision in patients with end-stage, age-related macular degeneration has been approved by the FDA.

A condition that affects older people, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) damages the center of the retina (or macula), resulting in loss of vision in the center of the visual field.

Designed to replace the natural lens, the tiny device approved by the FDA is called an Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT). It provides an image that has been magnified more than two times.

The IMT comes in two models: one model provides 2.2 times magnification and the other 2.7 times. It is designed to magnify and project images onto a healthy portion of the afflicted person's retina. It is intended for use in only one eye because the other eye is used for peripheral vision.

IMT is a product developed by VisionCare.