Medium-term results of implantable miniaturized telescopes in eyes with age-related macular degeneration

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of an implantable miniaturized telescope, the IMT, in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Setting. Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Ophthalmology Department, izmi r, Turkey. Methods:Among 15 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for IMT implantati on, 3 were willing to participate in this prospective clinical trial and ha d cataract extraction with IMT implantation. The effect of the IMT on visua l outcome and daily activities was assessed over 18 months, Results. All patients had some improvement in distance and near vision. How ever, this did not lead to significant improvements in the ability to perfo rm daily activities. One patient had 2 attacks of mild iritis that were con trolled with topical medications. In another patient, bubbles that were not ed inside the IMT soon after implantation were still present at 1 year. In this patient, the IMT was replaced with a conventional poly(methyl methacry late) intraocular lens. Conclusions. Implantation of an IMT may positively affect the visual outcom e and daily activities in some ARMD patients. However, proper patient selec tion and fully informed patient consent and understanding are mandatory. (C ) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.