Eye implant offers new hope

A new implant that allows patients suffering from advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to improve their general vision and regain independence is now being implanted in the UK.

The CentraSight treatment programme features a small telescope implant for patients with binocular end stage AMD. This treatment has, until now, only been available in the US and is the only surgical option that has been clinically proven to improve visual quality and quality in life for patients at this stage of the disease.

Mr Ahmed El-Amir, consultant ophthalmologist at Spire Dunedin, Reading, UK, was the first surgeon to perform the procedure in the UK. “I am very pleased to be able to offer my patients this revolutionary treatment, which is a true paradigm shift for patients with untreatable, advanced AMD who have had, up to now, very limited options in improving their quality of life,” he said.

Another surgeon who has recently performed a CentraSight procedure, Mr Nick Wilson-Holt (Duchy Hospital, Truro, UK) added, “CentraSight is a clinical programme that is very carefully targeted only to suitable patients who will potentially gain visual acuity from the procedure. It is not a cure for end-stage AMD, but it allows patients to use the undamaged part of their central retina to be able to see or discern objects using portions of their central vision once more.”

More detailed information about the procedure and its availability may be found on the website.