The FDA (Federal Food and Drug Administration) has approved a miniature telescope to help those with macular degeneration to improve their eyesight. The new technology was approved on July 6, 2010 and the goal for it is to help those with a specific end-stage related macular degeneration. Essentially this exciting new technology is for those with age-related sight problems.
According to a story on the latest technology “This innovation has the potential to provide many people with an improved quality of life”.
The IMT is available in two models: one that provides 2.2 times magnification and another 2.7 times magnification. The IMT is designed to magnify and project images onto a healthy portion of the retina. The IMT is intended to be implanted in only one eye; the non-implanted eye is used for peripheral vision.
The IMT is used in patients ages 75 years and older with stable severe to profound vision impairment (when vision impairment has not changed over time) caused by blind spots (bilateral central scotoma) associated with end-stage AMD. These patients also have evidence of a visually significant cataract.
Patients agree to undergo training with an external telescope with a low vision specialist prior to implantation to determine whether adequate improvement in vision with the external telescope can be obtained and to verify if the patient has adequate peripheral vision in the eye that would not be implanted. Patients also agree to participate in a post-operative visual training program.
(Source)
While this advancement isn’t without it’s inherent risk, as it is possible to lose eyesight altogether due to the device, it is still a step in the right direction for those with poor eyesight due to age.
Hopefully as medicine continues to advance, it will be able to improve these types of advancements and devices. It is certainly possible, especially when one thinks of the many other advancements we have made.
Tags: Conditions and Diseases, elderly, elderly activity, elderly living, Health, Health care, health inquiries, Low vision, Medicine, quality of life, senior citizens
