The device is also only for patients with advanced macular degeneration. If a person just wants to have a cool bionic eye, good luck trying to find a surgeon to perform this operation, says Peli. During the last trial, which ended months ago, 206 people had the telescope implanted. Six eventually had it removed, some because they didn't like it, others because of a manufacturing defect that has since been corrected, said Peli. Other trials in England currently has 10 spots out of an estimated 50 filled. The trial will last several months, after which Hill expects that the FDA will formally approve the device for use in the United States. (The implantable telescope has already been approved for use in Europe for about five years now.) Once the telescope is implanted it generally takes one to two weeks for the eye to recover. Patients then have to undergo training on how to use the device properly. Three months later though, "patients are watching TV, exercising, tracking and tracing items, even reading," said Hill. Related Links: |
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