The FDA recently announced the approval of a new surgical procedure, which may help patients who suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The surgery would include the use of an Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT), which would take place of the eyes natural lenses.
AMD is an irreversible condition that causes the retina to breakdown, leading to vision impairment. While researchers havent found a cure for the disorder, people can treat AMD with vitamins, laser therapy, medications and vision aids, according to WebMD.com.
Researchers have designed two versions of the IMT, one that provides 2.2 times and another that has 2.7 times magnification. FDA officials report that patients with the disorder can only have the surgery done in one eye, because the other is needed for peripheral vision.
In order to determine if a patient would benefit from the surgery, physicians had individuals use an external telescope device, the website reports. Patients would also need to undergo training in the untreated eye to make sure it could supply a sufficient amount of peripheral vision.
This surgery may prove beneficial for AMD patients looking for a treatment that could reverse retina damage, as a recent report by the American Academy of Ophthamology stated that the use of acupuncture had little effect on patients with this disorder.