Restore the Center of Your World

The telescope implant may improve your ability to see both close-up and far-away objects with your telescope-implanted eye. It may also be easier for you to visually recognize people and notice facial expressions.

The telescope implant does not restrict use of natural eye movements, and does not require you to move your entire head to follow what you are looking at, as do external magnifying appliances. You will likely be able to use your natural eye movements to scan things in the world around you, such as scenery, printed materials, TV or movies, and plays or sporting events. Because it is completely inside the eye, the telescope implant will be relatively unnoticeable to others.

Here are some of the other ways the tiny telescope implant may change your life:

• The peripheral vision in your eye with the telescope implant will be restricted. But the peripheral vision in your non-implanted eye will be the same as before the surgery.
• You will learn to use the eye with the telescope implant for detailed central vision and your non-implanted eye for less detailed, peripheral vision, like walking or moving around.
• After the telescope implantation surgery, you will need to wear eye glasses and may need to use a hand-held magnifier to read or see fine details clearly. However, in general, less magnification will be needed than before your surgery.
• Since the telescope implant will reduce the amount of light that passes through your eye, you will be encouraged to increase lighting sources when indoors.

Your CentraSight low vision optometrist and occupational therapist will help you understand all of these lifestyle changes before surgery, and include them as part of the visual rehabilitation/training after surgery.