FDA approves VisionCare telescope implant for AMD

Saratoga, CA-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies’ Implantable Miniature Telescope for use in patients living with bilateral end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who are age 65 or older.

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The telescope implant is the only FDA-approved surgical device for end-stage AMD and is Medicare eligible. According to the company, the telescope implant improves visual acuity and quality of life for suitable patients with AMD whose sight is permanently obstructed by a blind spot in their central vision, making it difficult or impossible to see faces, read, and perform everyday activities such as watching TV, preparing meals, and self-care. End-stage AMD is uncorrectable by any other treatment including glasses, vitamins, drugs, or cataract surgery and is associated with increased stress and depression as vision diminishes.

“Despite all the great pharmacotherapy advances in AMD treatment, some patients will unfortunately progress to end-stage-AMD where their straight ahead, central vision is permanently blocked,” said Dr. David Boyer, of Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Beverly Hills, CA. “Once end-stage AMD patients have lost their central vision, cataract surgery will not provide them with as much benefit to their quality of life as the telescope implant.”