Monday, July 17, 2006

Bionic eyes: FDA says not yet

According to a LiveScience report, a tiny telescope designed to be implanted in the eyes of some elderly patients has failed to receive the US Food and Drug Administration approval.

The TV show "The Six Million Dollar Man" would have raised hopes for a tiny telescope to be implanted in the eyes of some elderly patients, but for now it will have to wait.

The first-of-its-kind device is called the Implantable Miniature Telescope. The telephoto lens could enable some patients to do away with the special glasses and handheld telescopes they now use to compensate for the loss in central vision caused by age-related macular degeneration, according to VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Inc., its manufacturer.

An FDA spokesperson said that it's ophthalmic devices panel recommended against the pea-sized bionic device for safety reasons.

The manufacturer will have to keep the bionic eye on test bed until further tests are carried out to satisfy the FDA.

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