VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc.
SARATOGA, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced visual prosthetic devices, today announced upcoming scientific presentations on the company's Implantable Miniature Telescope (by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz) which was recently approved by the FDA to improve vision in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Two podium presentations are scheduled as follows:
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting
October 15 - 19, 2010 - McCormick Place, Chicago.
-- Friday, October 15
Session: AAO Retina 2010 Subspecialty Day, Late Breaking
Developments
Location: Lakeside, Arie Crown Theater
4:33 PM Implantable Telescope in Clinical Practice for End-Stage
AMD
Jeffrey S. Heier, MD
-- Tuesday, October 19
Session: AAO Joint Meeting, Symposium 33
Location: S406A
10:41 AM Implantable Miniature Telescope Prosthesis for Age-
Related Macular Degeneration
Stephen S. Lane, MD
At the AAO annual meeting at McCormick Place, VisionCare is in
Booth #3153.
CentraSight Treatment Program
The first-of-kind telescope implant is integral to a new patient care program, CentraSight, for treating patients with end-stage macular degeneration. The CentraSight treatment program involves a patient management process and access to reimbursement resources for patients and physicians. The telescope implantation is performed by a specially trained ophthalmic surgeon as an outpatient procedure.
Patients and physicians can find more information about the telescope implant and related treatment program at www.centrasight.com.
VisionCare has submitted an application to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services for a new code to establish Medicare beneficiary access to this implantation procedure.
About the Telescope Implant
The Implantable Miniature Telescope (by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz) is indicated for monocular implantation to improve vision in patients greater than or equal to 75 years of age with stable severe to profound vision impairment (best-corrected distance visual acuity 20/160 to 20/800) caused by bilateral central scotomas (blind areas) associated with end-stage AMD. This level of visual impairment constitutes statutory (legal) blindness.
Smaller than a pea, the telescope is implanted in one eye in an outpatient surgical procedure. In the implanted eye, the device renders enlarged central vision images over a wide area of the retina to improve central vision, while the non-operated eye provides peripheral vision for mobility and orientation.
The risks and benefits associated with the telescope implant are discussed in the Patient Information Booklet available at www.centrasight.com.
About End-Stage Macular Degeneration
AMD is a disorder of the central retina, or macula, which is responsible for detailed vision that controls important functional visual activities like recognizing faces and watching television. The National Eye Institute estimates that over 1.7 million Americans over age 50 suffer vision loss from advanced AMD, which frequently culminates as end-stage AMD (visual impairment due to untreatable advanced AMD in both eyes). These patients often experience a loss of independence and social isolation, and have difficulty with activities of daily living. Approximately half of the individuals living with advanced AMD are affected in both eyes.
About VisionCare
VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Saratoga, CA, is a privately-held company focused on development, manufacturing, and marketing of implantable ophthalmic devices and technologies that are intended to significantly improve vision and quality of life for individuals with untreatable retinal disorders. The company's R&D and manufacturing facility is located in Petah Tikva, Israel. VisionCare's investors include Saints Capital, Pitango Venture Capital, Three Arch Partners, Onset Ventures, and Infinity Private Equity Fund. VisionCare's Implantable Miniature Telescope was invented by company founders Yossi Gross and Isaac Lipshitz. Information on VisionCare can be found at www.visioncareinc.net.
CONTACT: Jessica Daitch, Marina Maher Communications, +1-212-485-6858,
[email protected], for VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc.
Web site: http://www.visioncareinc.net/