A New Treatment for Patients with
End-Stage AMD
End-Stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most advanced form of AMD, the leading cause of legal blindness in the U.S. (1) Currently there is no known treatment that can cure End-Stage AMD (bilateral geographic atrophy or disciform scars).
Central vision loss resulting from End-Stage AMD cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgically implanted intraocular lenses (IOLs). 1Individuals with this level of bilateral vision loss may use external appliances such as hand-held magnifying eyeglasses or a head-mounted telescope in order to enlarge images onto the retina. However, these devices have inherent limitations known to ophthalmologists and other eye care specialists (e.g., limited field of view, disruption of image stability; vestibular-ocular reflex issues with head motion; poor compliance and utilization; and limited utility in dynamic ‘on-the-go' or social situations).
Introducing the Telescope Prosthesis: Mechanism of Action
The CentraSight treatment program utilizes VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies' FDA-approved telescope prosthesis (Implantable Miniature Telescope by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz) indicated for patients with End-Stage AMD. Although the telescope prosthesis does not completely reverse all vision loss due to AMD, it has been shown to significantly improve both central visual acuity and quality of life which can make a profound and meaningful impact on your patient's interaction with their world around them. (1,2) The micro-optical telescope is implanted in one eye to magnify objects onto healthy photoreceptors in areas surrounding the macula. This increases the image size and resolution afforded to the perimacular retina. The telescope-implanted eye is then used for central vision; the non-implanted eye is used for peripheral vision. A multidisciplinary team led by a Retina Specialist provides patient identification, candidacy assessment, follow-up, and visual training/rehabilitation.
Implantable Telescope Technology
CentraSight is the one and only treatment program available in the U.S. that uses Implantable Telescope Technology in an FDA-approved telescope prosthesis to improve central vision.
Safety and Efficacy Data
In clinical trials, the CentraSight treatment improved visual acuity and quality of life in subjects with End-Stage AMD.
Reimbursement
Medicare may cover some of the costs of the CentraSight treatment for patients and reimbursement for health care practitioners and hospital surgical facilities.
1 Forooghian F, Agrón E, Clemons TE, Ferris FL 3rd, Chew EY; Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Visual acuity outcomes after cataract surgery in patients with age-related macular degeneration: age-related eye disease study report no. 27. Ophthalmology. 2009;116:2093-100.
