Good Samaritan Hospital Patient First in California to Receive Telescope Implant for Macular Degeneration

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Physicians at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles successfully implanted the FDA-approved eye telescope, a first in California.  The first-of-kind telescope implant is integral to CentraSight™, a new patient care program for treating patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.  It is the only medical/surgical option that improves visual acuity by reducing the impact of the central vision blind spot caused by end-stage AMD.

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Smaller than a pea, the telescope implant uses micro-optical technology to magnify images which would normally be seen in one's "straight ahead" or central, vision. The images are projected onto the healthy portion of the retina not affected by the disease, making it possible for patients to see or discern the central vision object of interest.

Patients with end-stage AMD have a central blind spot. This vision loss makes it difficult or impossible to see faces, read, and perform everyday activities such as watching TV, preparing meals, and self-care. The telescope implant has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve quality of life by improving patients' vision so they can see the things that are important to them, increase their independence, and re-engage in everyday activities.  It also may help patients in social settings as it may allow them to recognize faces and see the facial expressions of family and friends.

"We are excited to provide this new treatment option to our end-stage AMD patients, who up until now have had no options," says David Boyer, M.D., retinal surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital.  "This most advanced type of AMD is a devastating disease which cannot be treated by any of our available drugs or surgical procedures.  The telescope implant offers a new hope for our patients to be able to do things we take for granted; it is about helping a patient see their grandchildren or pour a simple cup of coffee."

The treatment program is generally coordinated by retina specialists who treat macular degeneration and other back-of-the-eye disorders.  The treatment program focuses on comprehensive patient care, requiring prospective patients to undergo medical, visual, and functional evaluation to determine if they may be a good candidate.  A unique aspect of the evaluation is the ability to simulate, prior to surgery, what a person may expect to see once the telescope is implanted to determine if the possible improvement will meet the patient's expectations.

"In the clinical studies, the telescope implant was shown to improve visual acuity and quality of life in patients with end-stage AMD. To be able to finally offer this device to our patients is quite exciting," says Samuel Masket, M.D., eye surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital.    Both Dr. Boyer and Dr. Masket are part of the CentraSight™ provider team in Los Angeles. 

The telescope procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Post-implantation, the patient will learn how to use their new vision in everyday activities by working with The Center for the Partially Sighted, the regional CentraSight visual rehabilitation provider.

Patients and physicians can find more information about the telescope implant and related treatment program at www.CentraSight.com. 

First opened in 1885, Good Samaritan Hospital is a 408-bed tertiary care facility offering some of the most comprehensive care in Los Angeles.  Specializing in cardiac services, women's services, orthopedics, oncology, and ophthalmology, Good Samaritan Hospital offers Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosciences program featuring the Gamma Knife radiosurgery, Ophthalmologic Program including Retinal Surgery, Orthopedic Surgical Program including Sports Medicine, Oncology Program using the latest in radiation therapy – IMRT and HDR, Kidney Stone services, Samaritan Imaging Center, Transfusion-Free Medicine and Surgery Center, and Emergency Services.  For more information visit www.goodsam.org. 

SOURCE Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles