The first study that aims to establish whether blind patients with loss of central vision will be taking at Manchester’s Royal Eye Hospital.
The trial, led by Professor Paulo Stanga, involves fitting an electronic artificial retina, the Argus II retinal prosthesis system, into patients who have lost their site due to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Previously, this, and the other retinal implants currently available, have been indicated only for use only in patients with the rare disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
This is the first time that a retinal implant will beused to treat patients with AMD.
The procedure involves given an implant into the patient’s retina with a camera mounted on a pair of glasses sending wireless signals direct to the nerves which control sight.
Prof Paulo Stanga, who is a consultant ophthamalogist and vitreoretinal surgeon at the hospital and director of the Manchester Vision Regeneration Laboratory, told the Manchester Evening News
We feel privileged to be conducting the world’s first study into retinal implants for patients with AMD.This technology is revolutionary and changes patients’ lives – restoring some functional vision and helping them to live more independently.”
Interested patients can call Danielle Ridyard, research assistant to Professor Stanga on 0161 701 7691 or email Danielle.ridyard@cmft.chs.uk.
