Implantable Eye Telescope Finally FDA Approved

kkleiner writes "A telescopic implant that fits directly into the eye to treat certain kinds of blindness has finally received FDA approval for use in the US after more than five years of waiting. The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) is used to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects millions around the world. For many, the center part of their vision becomes blurred or completely dark. The IMT is surgically implanted into the cornea and acts to expand an incoming image onto the peripheral parts of the retina that are undamaged by AMD. The commercial version of the IMT is called CentraSight and is in development by VisionCare Inc. There are likely hundreds of thousands of potential patients in the US alone who may be able to have their vision partially restored now that CentraSight has garnered FDA approval."

Comments

I feel gipped...

[cobryce]

I know I'm not the only one expecting a device that would allow me to enjoy some backyard astronomy anytime, anywhere. I am very disappointed.

Re:I feel gipped...

[Chris Burke]

If it's going to fit in your eye, then the largest possible aperture would be too small to make for very enjoyable stargazing.

I have a 7x18 monocular that I carry with me, and it's decent for getting a little more detail on not-too-distant birds to maybe allow an ID, or general hey-I-have-a-spyglass fun, but it's useless for astronomy. Can't even see the Galilean moons of Jupiter with it.

I feel ya though, I too want telescope eyes. But for backyard astronomy anywhere (so, I guess not backyard), just pick up a decent pair of binoculars and leave em in your glove box. :)

Life Imitates Ghost In the Shell

[bmajik]

Replacement:

Arms - Check
Legs - Check
Heart - Check
Hands - getting there
Eyes - getting there

Re:Life Imitates Ghost In the Shell

[Securityemo]

A ga maeba, kuwashime yoini keri
A ga maeba, teru tsuki toyomu nari
Yobai ni kami amakudarite,
Yoha ake, nuedori naku,
Tookamiemitame

Better Than Nothing

[Doc Ruby]

This implant is a lot better than going blind.

But really what we want is stemcell therapies that restore the macula to a fully working retina without further complication. Especially if the stemcells come from the patient themself, without requiring a separate donor, or tissue banks.

Re:I never understood chasing FDA approval.

[Maarx]

Surely there's plenty of countries who will fast track med-tech that the FDA always seems to drag their feet on. What's to stop a company from setting up shop on the Mexican border for the latest in treatment?

Pretty much this.

Re:Meh

[east coast]

Optical zoom only please. None of that digial zoom bullshit.

Re:Take that, Steve....

[milkmage]

better stronger faster.
the episodes with bigfoot scared the shit out of me.

and the one with the mars probe that went all HAL on 'em.

Re:Star Trek anyone??

[mea37]

Well, no, not really. This isn't even remotely the same technology path.

This involves using fairly conventional optics to make the best use of a person's existing visual capabilities, resulting in better (but still not "perfect") vision for those with certain types of eye damage. The innovation is overcoming the challenges to implant said optics in the eye.

Geordi's visor would use its own sensors to pull in a much wider spectrum of information than just visible light, bypassing his eyes (i.e. not trying to make use of his existing visual capabilities) to give him superhuman vision. The device would not be implanted in the eye and so would not use the innovations from the telescope.

The technological overlap is just about zero.