Design and optical performance of an implantable miniaturized telescope (IMT™)

Purpose: To design and construct a fully implantable miniaturized telescope (IMT(TM)) for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with central field loss. Setting: VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Yehud, Israel. Methods: Based on a schematic eye model, a fully implantable miniaturized telescope was designed to accommodate the optical needs of AMD patients. The device was evaluated for optical performance. A carrying device was designed for "in the bag" implantation of the IMT(TM) after regular cataract extraction. The feasibility of the implantation and the stability of the device were evaluated. Results: A three-time magnification telephoto-lens in the configuration of a Galilean telescope (with the cornea) was designed and constructed with a focus at 50 cm and a visual field of 18degrees on the retina. The optical device measured 4.4x3.0mm, and was enclosed inside a specially designed PMMA carrying device (size: phi=7x4.75mm, modified C-loops phi=13.5mm). Its anatomic position, dimensions and forces were found to fit the human eye, and its optical performance was found to fulfill the requirements of AMD patients with central field loss. Conclusion: A newly designed and tested implantable miniaturized telescope was shown to provide an effective optical solution for AMD patients with central field loss.