New hope for patients with limited vision

Doctors in Virginia, USA, have successfully found a way to implant a telescope into a patient’s eye to improve vision in macular degeneration. This implant is designed to correct end stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).{{more}}

This is the most advanced form of the disease. Although more prevalent in the Western world, the patients whom we see here in St Vincent and the Grenadines suffer immensely from low vision.

Vision loss from AMD makes it very difficult for patients to see faces, to read and to perform simple activities such as cooking, cleaning, watching television and generally looking after themselves. The procedure was performed by Dr William Benson, a corneal specialist and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the VCU School of Medicine. In his own words Benson said:

“We are excited to provide this new surgical option to our advanced macular degeneration patients, who up until now have had limited options for improving vision.” Benson continued: “Advanced macular degeneration is a devastating disease, which cannot be treated by any available drugs or surgical procedures. The telescope implant offers a new hope for patients with limited vision.”

The micro optical implant is smaller than the size of a pea. Its function is to magnify images in the patient’s central vision and bypass the diseased area. The images are projected on the healthy part of the retina that is affected by the disease.

Although the microscope has been implanted in a patient with macular degeneration, it could also spell hope for many other patients suffering from chronic diseases that affect their central vision.

As usual, we will keep you posted with updates as more information comes along. Have a great week.

Dr Kenneth Onu is a resident Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Beachmont Eye Institute/Eyes R Us Send questions to: Beachmont@gmail.com

Tel: 784 456-1210