The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched into orbit in 1990. It was initially flawed as images came back fuzzy however utilising some extraordinarily complex optical calculations, mirrors were used to correct the flaws and provide clarity to the images. This piece of NASA built technology has provided the basis for a new lens which could revoluntionise the lives of AMD (age-related macular degeneration) sufferers who also suffer from ‘fuzzy’ vision.
The implant inspired by the HST comprises of two lenses and is claims to be a real breakthrough although it isn’t the first miniature implantable telescope for AMD. However it does provide hope for over half a million people in the UK who suffer from the incurable eye disease, half of whom are registered blind.
Developed by the London Eye Hospital and a Spanish professor, the mini telescope is inserted in to the eye, magnifying images as well as redirecting the image away from the centre part of the eye (the macula) on to healthy sections.
We have many patients with AMD and this will be an encouraging development. The hope is that the lenses will be available on the NHS in under three years. We will be following their testing carefully and keep you up dated with how this progresses.
