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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."
Does each set come with cool "DOO Doo doo doo doooooo..." sound effects and a Lindsay Wagner blow up doll?
Sorry, but this is just a super-cool telescopic eye not a McDonald's Bionic Happy Meal.
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.
I certainly didn't have the foresight to see this coming!
Apparently, all it would do is give you a fish eye bubble in the center of your vision. This is definitely not something that a person with normal vision wants. It's a 'better than nothing' option for people going blind.
That person would see much the same as the patients with AMD. That is to say a loss of vision in the central region of your visual range (in the case of a non-AMD person: because the telescope is in the way, if nothing else), and all vision that -would- have fallen into the central region instead being expanded out toward the outer regions, essentially giving you a ring or donut shaped view of the world.
The article also mentions that if the person with AMD still has a good eye as well, that eye would be left untreated to provide for peripheral vision. That implies that with the device, peripheral vision would also be, to an extent, lost.
Replacement:
Arms - Check
Legs - Check
Heart - Check
Hands - getting there
Eyes - getting there
My opinions are my own, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
It would make a normal person's vision worse.
Macular degeneration results in a blank spot in the centre of your vision. This thing works by routing around that blank spot to sections of the retina which are unobstructed. It sacrifices some visual acuity to allow a full field of vision.
upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
Damn, that's horrible. The moral of the story is: Use Intel.
WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?
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.
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make install -not war
No, Steve Jobs, dummy. It's a Retinal Display, right?