Phase 1 clinical study of an embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium patch in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a major cause of blindness, with dysfunction and loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) central to disease progression. We engineered an RPE patch comprising a fully differentiated, human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE monolayer on a coated, synthetic basement membrane. We delivered the patch, using a purpose-designed microsurgical tool, into the subretinal space of one eye in each of two patients with severe exudative AMD.

Long-term Repeatability and Reproducibility of Phosphene Characteristics in Chronically Implanted Argus II Retinal Prosthesis Subjects.

Purpose: Previously published literatures of acute studies on few subjects have shown contradictory evidence on the reproducibility and characteristics of the elicited phosphenes, despite using the same stimulating parameters with epiretinal electrode arrays. In this study, we set out to investigate the long-term repeatilibity and reproducibility of phosphenes in subjects chronically implanted with the Argus II retinal prosthesis (Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., Sylmar, CA, USA).

The potential of the second sight system bionic eye implant for partial sight restoration.

Introduction: Second Sight System bionic eye implant, a commercially available visual prosthesis developed by Second Sight Medical Products, has been implanted in over 125 patients with outer retinal dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa. The system has gained regulatory approval in both the USA and Europe, and aims to restore vision by electrical stimulation of the nerve cells of the inner retina.

Areas Covered: In this review, we present the safety profile of this implant from the international clinical trial and discuss the nature and levels of improvement in visual function achieved by patients implanted with the system.

The Argus(®) II Retinal Prosthesis System.

The Argus(®) II Retinal Prosthesis System (Second Sight Medical Products) is the first prosthetic vision device to obtain regulatory approval in both Europe and the USA. As such it has entered the commercial market as a treatment for patients with profound vision loss from end-stage outer retinal disease, predominantly retinitis pigmentosa. To date, over 100 devices have been implanted worldwide, representing the largest group of patients currently treated with visual prostheses.

Punctal function in lacrimal drainage: the 'pipette sign' and functional ectropion.

Background: The aim was to assess the movements of the inferior punctum during blinking and discuss pertinent clinical applications.

Methods: This is a prospective, non-comparative observational case-series examining the function of inferior punctum during blinking using video recordings of the blinking action at the slitlamp with slow-motion analysis and comparison.

Results: In all 56 eyes of 28 patents, supero-medial movement of the lower punctum toward the medial canthus, together with a medially directed protrusion of the inferior punctum was noted.

The use of Argus® II retinal prosthesis by blind subjects to achieve localisation and prehension of objects in 3-dimensional space.

Background: The Argus® II retinal prosthesis system has entered mainstream treatment for patients blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). We set out to evaluate the use of this system by blind subjects to achieve object localisation and prehension in 3-dimensional space.

Methods: This is a single-centre, prospective, internally-controlled case series involving 5 blind RP subjects who received the Argus® II implant.

A review and update on the current status of retinal prostheses (bionic eye).

Introduction/background: The Argus® II is the first retinal prosthesis approved for the treatment of patients blind from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), receiving CE (Conformité Européenne) marking in March 2011 and FDA approval in February 2013. Alpha-IMS followed closely and obtained CE marking in July 2013. Other devices are being developed, some of which are currently in clinical trials.