Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Implantable Eye Telescope Finally FDA Approved

Posted by samzenpus on from the all-the-better-to-see-you-with dept.

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."

5 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. Effect on Normal Eyes? by Haffner · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If implanted in a person with 20/20 vision, what would be the effects?

    --
    "Going to war without the French is like going deer hunting without your accordion." ~General Norman Schwarzkopf
    1. Re:Effect on Normal Eyes? by DynaSoar · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The visual field would soon 'look' fairly normal as neural plasticity made the peripheral visual system do the job of the central and integrate that into visual processing. There would be loss of visual and color acuity since the peripheral retina isn't as densely populated, and had very little chromatic visual receptors. Within weeks any differences noted would fade as what's being presented became to seem normal.

      --
      "I may be synthetic, but I'm not stupid." -- Bishop 341-B
  2. Story icons by kehren77 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Shouldn't the /. Bill Gates Borg icon appear on this story?

  3. I never understood chasing FDA approval. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    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?

  4. Re:Take that, Steve.... by RsG · · Score: 2, Interesting

    zoom

    Also known as "tunnel vision", and an excellent way to walk into fire hydrants if you forget to turn it off. I can see the lawsuits already.

    X-ray vision

    And we all despair, as the naughty bits of attractive ladies everywhere get cancer.

    thermal vision

    Thermographic cameras need to be cooled in order to pick up on heat signatures for objects at body temp. I sincerely hope your eyeball mounted version is well insulated, as the prospect of having one's vitreous fluid frozen solid is enough to make me wince.

    And despite all this... Yeah, I want augmented vision too, dammit! :-P

    --
    Erotic is when you use a feather. Exotic is when you use the whole chicken.