| Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) - USA - Awaiting FDA Approval |
 |
 |
 Share
The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) is being tested for use in AMD. No patients are being recruited because the data has already been submitted to the FDA. On March 28, 2009, the FDA Advisory Committee for Medical Devices recommended that the IMT be approved, with conditions. The FDA usually follows the advice of the Committee, but is not required to do so. The conditions include post-approval surveillance and reporting.
The telescope is implanted into the eye in the same position that an intraocular lens would be placed after a cataract extraction (patients in the study have their cataract or lens removed).The IMT enlarges images up to three times, but only in the center. The peripheral vision of that eye is eliminated by the placement of the telescope.
According to the developer, "The IMT is a micro-sized precision telescope, about the size of a pea, that is designed to magnify images onto the retina. By magnifying images, it is hoped the blind spot caused by macular degeneration can be reduced in size, allowing for better central vision and associated function in daily activities. The IMT is implanted in one eye by an ophthalmologist in an outpatient procedure. The implanted eye provides magnified central vision. The non-implanted eye provides peripheral or "side" vision for mobility and navigation. Since the IMT is implanted inside the eye, natural eye movements are used to scan the environment and reading materials." |
Search
Get News!
SIGN UP NOW
To receive the "AMD Update" and keep up-to-date with the latest research & treatment options:
For Email Newsletters you can trust