I inquired about the telescopic eye implant at the Wisconsin Eye Institute. I was told that the implant studies were not very satisfactory. Do you have any information regarding this treatment? [ 11/19/09 ]
I believe you are referring to the Lipshitz telescopic eye implant –LMI, developed in Chennai, India by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz. Though the device has not been widely tested in the U.S., there is a review published in the January 2008 issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (volume 34, issue 1, pgs. 87-94), which says based on preliminary testing of the device, “the surgery and visual recovery were quick, and the improvement in quality of life was significant.”
This treatment may not be of benefit to all patients with macular degeneration; therefore, it is difficult to conclude whether or not the procedure is satisfactory overall if the number of patients that have been tested is low. This is quite a new technique that has not been used widely in the U.S., thus it is expected that present opinion regarding its success may vary from specialist to specialist.