The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved a new eye implant procedure that could help the vision of millions. Dubbed a bionic eye, the procedure allows doctors to place an implantable miniature telescope into the eye.

According to CNN’s resident physician Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the device helps patients with end-stage, age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans older than 60.

Suffers of the disease have problems reading, watching TV and, at its worst, being able to recognize other people’s faces. The new surgery replaces the natural lens and magnifies and projects images, while the non-implanted eye is used for peripheral vision.

In clinical trials, 90% of the 219 subjects gained some visual acuity. The FDA warned that the procedure does come with risk. It is a large device that can lead to cell loss in the cornea. The manufacturer, VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, has agreed to include a detailed explanation of the risks associated with its implantation.

Given that its the 1st procedure of its kind, patients will be evaluated 2 years from now to consider the effects of surgery and to determine what improvements can be made.

The success of this procedure could lead to further advances in treating blindness.

Source via K!dult