ENCELTO Now Available Through OCLI Vision to Address Rare Retinal Disease, Announces Spectrum Vision Partners

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OCLI Vision, a leading ophthalmology practice managed by Spectrum Vision Partners, made medical history on September 22, 2025, by performing the first ENCELTO gene therapy procedure in the Northeast United States. This landmark achievement marked only the second commercial implantation worldwide since the therapy received FDA approval in March 2025.

"The first successful Encelto procedure in New York marks a transformative moment in care for individuals living with MacTel. This novel therapy brings hope and optimism—not only for MacTel but as a model for future neurodegenerative eye diseases." said Dr. Deepika Malik, the vitreoretinal surgeon who performed the surgery. "I am excited to lead a paradigm shift in managing a previously untreatable disease, offering hope where only irreversible decline had been possible."
 
ENCELTO is the first cell-based gene therapy available for patients with macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), which is a rare, neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive vision loss. ENCELTO involves the surgical implantation of encapsulated cell therapy that releases ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in the retina, helping preserve vision by maintaining photoreceptor health, through a single relatively straightforward procedure.

ENCELTO uses an implanted device that delivers therapeutic protein continuously to the retina. Patients once restricted by progressive vision impairment and a "watchful waiting" approach to care can now benefit from the first and only approved treatment for MacTel. 

"This milestone reflects our mission to expand access to innovative therapies across our network," said Tom Burke, CEO, Spectrum Vision Partners. "OCLI Vision's leadership in introducing ENCELTO highlights the expertise of our physicians and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to compassionate, high-quality patient care and improved outcomes."

OCLI Vision's selection as the first clinic to perform ENCELTO in the Northeast and only the second worldwide, demonstrated the organization's expertise in retinal diseases and treatments and an unparalleled ability to rapidly deliver cutting-edge treatments directly to patients who need them most. OCLI Vision is proud to celebrate Dr. Deepika Malik, her clinical support team at OCLI, the Island Eye Surgicenter team, and the numerous patients that will benefit from this groundbreaking procedure. 

About OCLI Vision:
Founded in 1997, OCLI Vision (http://www.ocli.net) is one of the leading ophthalmology practices in the United States. The practices of OCLI Vision offer eye care services at locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. OCLI Vision is led by a large group of highly skilled ophthalmologists and optometrists in each major sub-specialty of eye care who provide comprehensive eye care services, including treatment for cataracts, corneal disease, glaucoma, retinal disease, oculoplastics, and refractive surgery.

About Spectrum Vision Partners:
Spectrum Vision Partners ("SVP") (https://www.spectrumvisionpartners.com) is a leading management services organization, serving the ophthalmology sector. With over 1,400 employees providing world-class practice management and administrative solutions to a network of nationally renowned, multi-specialty ophthalmologists in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, SVP supports over 60 clinic locations, five state-licensed ambulatory surgery centers, and over 150 surgeons, doctors and other medical professionals. SVP provides a comprehensive set of business support functions, including billing and collections, credential services, marketing, physician recruitment, ASC development, financial and accounting services, benefits and payroll management and information technology. The company's corporate service center is located at 825 East Gate Boulevard, Suite 111, Garden City, NY 11530.

SOURCE Spectrum Vision Partners