Injectable intraocular telescope: Pilot study.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of a new injectable telescopic intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: London Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective interventional pilot study. METHOD: Eyes with bilateral, intermediate, or advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD); preoperative decimal corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 0.25 or less; and improvement with extraocular simulation of the intervention had implantation of 2 IOLs designed for use together in a Galilean telescope configuration (iolAMD). Patients were followed for 4 months. Safety was assessed by monitoring visual acuity, intraocular pressure, specular microscopy, and anterior segment and macular optical coherence tomographies. Fixation stability and macular sensitivity were determined using microperimetry in some eyes. RESULTS: There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. In 1 eye, an anterior sulcus IOL was replaced; there were no sequelae. The mean endothelial cell density was reduced by 18%. The mean decimal CDVA improved from 0.12 preoperatively to 0.20 at 4 months, a 67% gain. The mean change in spherical equivalent after implantation was -1.5 diopters (D) with 0.5 D of induced astigmatism. Microperimetric testing indicated a magnification effect and a deviation of the retinal image by up to 5 degrees, with improved fixation stability. CONCLUSIONS: This injectable intraocular miniature telescope appears safe in the short to medium term and capable of improving visual function. No significant issues were encountered regarding candidate eye selection or patient retention and cooperation. Further work is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the device, particularly with respect to daily-living activities and the range of indications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Qureshi has a financial interest in London Eye Hospital Pharma. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Biofeedback stimulation in patients with age-related macular degeneration: comparison between 2 different methods.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in patient's visual performance after rehabilitation training with 2 different biofeedback training programs offered by the MP-1 microperimeter. Spontaneous retinal location of preferred retinal loci (PRLs) and fixation stability are not always optimal for best visual performances. MP-1 microperimeter biofeedback techniques have been suggested as modalities for training for better fixation stability and to find a better location of the new PRL in a more useful area of the retina in nonoptimal cases. The MP-1 microperimeter offers different biofeedback strategies, such as acoustic biofeedback and structured light stimulus plus acoustic biofeedback. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty subjects affected by age-related macular degeneration with absolute central scotoma. METHODS: A standard protocol of examination before and after visual rehabilitation training was performed on all study subjects. Assessment included demographics data, visual acuity, fixation stability, retinal sensitivity, and reading speed. Rehabilitation training was performed with standard and structured stimulus biofeedback. The whole sample was divided into 2 groups of 15 patients attending the 2 different stimulation training biofeedback. RESULTS: Mean reading speed was found to be significantly increased for both groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Also, a statistically significant improvement of fixation stability was registered for both groups (p < 0.01). Only patients trained with the flickering pattern biofeedback stimulation increased retinal sensitivity (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both regular biofeedback and flickering pattern biofeedback training seem to improve visual functions. More benefits seem to be accrued, however, with flickering pattern biofeedback training.