Study of Implantable Miniature Telescope for patients with age-related macular degeneration published-VisionCare

VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies has announced the publication of Long-Term results for the Implantable Miniature Telescope for patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in Clinical Ophthalmology. The 5-year data show substantial retention of gains in visual acuity over time after implantation with the Implantable Miniature Telescope.

The study reported that both younger (aged 65 to <75) and older patients (aged 75+) had clinically significant visual acuity gains at 2 years as well as 5 years after telescope implant. Younger patients retained more of the vision gains at five years and experienced somewhat fewer adverse events. The data from this long-term study supported a labeling indications expansion request that resulted in an October 2014 FDA approval to include patients between the ages of 65 and 74, in addition to those 75 and older. With respect to adverse events, only 7% of patients, at their last study exam, had visual acuity loss of more than 2 lines in telescope implanted eyes. Visual acuity loss was somewhat higher in older patients than younger patients (8% versus 6%).

Comment: The telescope implant is the integral component of VisionCare's comprehensive treatment program called CentraSight which helps patients follow the steps necessary for proper diagnosis, surgical evaluation, implantation and postoperative care. The telescope implant is the only FDA-approved, Medicare-eligible surgical device to treat the most advanced form of AMD.