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From: "Scott C" <castledine10@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:31:57 -0000
Medical News Today 
Subretinal Implant Restores Unprecedented Level Of Vision To Blind Patients. 19 
Mar 2010   
Retina Implant, AG, a leading developer of subretinal implants for the visually 
impaired, today announced scientific revelations discovered during the 
company's first human clinical trial. The results achieved in the 11 patients 
that were involved in the trial exceeded the company's expectations for their 
first trial. In fact, a few of the patients were able to see objects and shapes 
so clearly they could combine letters to form words and recognize foreign 
objects. Previous studies conducted by other companies' also developing retinal 
implants have found their technology facilitated the ability to see light and 
outlines of objects, but did not produce a level of sight that enabled patients 
to read or recognize foreign objects. Retina Implant's clinical trial began in 
Germany in 2005 and has involved 11 patients who lost their sight due to 
retinitis pigmentosa (RP). 
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common forms of inherited retinal 
degenerations affecting approximately 200,000 people in the world. A 
progressive condition that gets worse over time, RP typically causes severe 
vision problems in adulthood. While there are currently no approved treatment 
options that can restore vision for RP patients or impede the progression of 
the disease, retinal implants represent tremendous promise for enabling RP 
patients to regain sight. 
There are two main approaches to retinal implants currently being studied by 
scientists across the globe; subretinal and epiretinal. The subretinal approach 
involves implanting the chip underneath the retina, specifically in the macular 
region. The macular region is believed to be the ideal location because this is 
the most sensitive area which is responsible for producing clear images in 
sighted people. By placing the chip below the retina, the natural way of 
processing light-through the pupil of the eye to the retina to the optical 
nerve and finally to the brain-can be restored. While, the epiretinal approach 
involves placing the chip on top of the macular region of the retina and 
requires additional equipment-like cameras or special glasses-to properly 
function. 
"During the course of our first trial, we learned a great deal between our 
first and last patient, especially from patient 10 to 11," said Dr. Walter-G. 
Wrobel, president and CEO of Retina Implant, AG. "Paramount in this discovery 
was learning that using the subretinal approach to place the chip in the 
macular region provided superior clinical outcomes. The eleventh/last patient 
in the study was the only one to have the chip placed exactly in the macular 
region, and he was able to see more clearly than any other patient in the 
trial. Additionally, every patient tolerated the surgery well; no adverse 
events occurred." 
"As an ophthalmic vitreo-retinal specialist I have been following the 
artificial vision space for some time now, and I am particularly interested in 
the progress of Retina Implant's team," said Dr. Jay Federman of the Retina 
division of the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia, Pa. "The results of the 
subretinal approach-implanting a 1,500 multi-electrode are very encouraging. It 
will be exciting to watch Retina Implant's subsequent clinical trials as well 
as scientists at both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the 
Stanford University group who are also researching the subretinal approach and 
plan to commence human trials. I'm hopeful this breakthrough research will 
present the blind community with a viable treatment option in the coming years. 
This whole field is evolving, and I believe will continue to push beyond our 
existing capabilities." 
"I first noticed my eyesight was impaired at 16, and over a period of 16-17 
years, my condition deteriorated to complete blindness," said the 11th patient, 
a 45 year-old Finland-based male. "I knew there was a chance the implant 
wouldn't enable me to see anything, but I was willing to participate in the 
research with the hope I would regain some sight. When the microchip was turned 
on, I immediately was able to distinguish light from dark and see outlines of 
objects. As I got used to the implant, my vision improved dramatically. I was 
able to form letters into words, even correcting the spelling of my name. I 
recognized foreign objects such as a banana and could distinguish between a 
fork, knife and spoon. Most impressively, I could recognize the outlines of 
people and differentiate heights and arm movements from 20 feet away." 
Retina Implant is presenting results of this clinical trial at the Association 
for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology's (ARVO) annual meeting May 2-6 in 
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 
Source
Retina Implant, AG 
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182797.php
Main News Category: Eye Health / Blindness
[guide.chat] more on eye sight

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