The smaller-incision new-generation implantable miniature telescope (SING IMT™) is the second generation of the IMT™, a telescope prosthesis that is indicated for monocular implantation in patients with stable vision impairment caused by bilateral central scotomas associated with end-stage Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This non-comparative retrospective study is the first and largest single-surgeon case series to evaluate the short-term (3 months) safety and efficacy of the device in patients with disciform scars or geographic atrophy at baseline. The main outcome measures included best-corrected distance and near visual acuity (CDVA and CDNVA, respectively), endothelial cell density (ECD) loss, and the incidence of complications. At postoperative month 3 in the study eyes, mean CDVA and CDNVA improved by +14.9 ± 7.1 letters and +7.7 ± 3.2 Jaeger levels, respectively. Importantly, 70.83% of patients gained ≥ 2 lines, 58.33% ≥ 3 lines, and 25.00% ≥ 4 lines of CDVA. From baseline, ECD loss in the study eyes was 10.4 ± 13.3% at 3 months, however, ECD was comparable between the study and fellow eyes at all time points. The most common complication was corneal edema. In all, these short-term outcomes suggest that the SING IMT™ delivers lower ECD loss than the first-generation IMT ™, but similar visual outcomes and safety.

Purpose: Evaluating the optical transmission and geometrical aberrations of an intraocular device, namely, the Small-Incision New Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope (SING IMT, Samsara Vision), designed to correct age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Optical transmission in the spectral range 350-750 nm of the implantable optics was recorded with a fiber-optic spectrometer. Geometrical aberrations were studied by measuring the wavefront of a laser beam after passing through the implantable optics and performing an expansion of the measured wavefront into a Zernike polynomial basis. The study was conducted under in-vitro experimental conditions. A second monofocal intraocular lens (SY60WF, Alcon) was tested and used as reference for assessing the optical quality of the SING IMTTM device. Results: Spectroscopy measurements revealed that the SING IMTTM and monofocal IOL element feature UV-rejection and blue-rejection capabilities, respectively. Wavefront concavity indicated that the SING IMT behaves as a diverging lens with a focal length of approximately -100 mm; Zernike analysis showed that SING IMT has negligible coma, trefoil, astigmatism, and spherical aberrations of any order and along any direction. Conclusions: The SING IMT exhibited even optical transmission in the whole visible spectrum and curvature capable of magnifying the retinal images without introducing geometrical aberrations, which proves the feasibility of this device as high-quality optical element for imaging. The rigidity of the compound lens of the SING IMT prevents mechanically-induced distortions, an issue encountered with polymeric lenses.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes severe vision impairments, including blindness. An option to improve vision in AMD patients is through intraocular lenses and optics. Among others, implantable miniaturized telescopes, which direct light to healthy lateral regions of the retina, can be highly effective in improving vision in AMD patients. Yet, the quality of the restored vision might be sensitive to the optical transmission and aberrations of the telescope. To shed light on these points, we studied the in vitro optical performance of an implantable miniaturized telescope, namely, the SING IMT™ (Samsara Vision Ltd., Far Hills, NJ, USA) designed to improve vision in patients affected by late-stage AMD. Specifically, we measured the optical transmission in the spectral range 350–750 nm of the implantable telescope with a fiber-optic spectrometer. Wavefront aberrations were studied by measuring the wavefront of a laser beam after passing through the telescope and expanding the measured wavefront into a Zernike polynomial basis. Wavefront concavity indicated that the SING IMT™ behaves as a diverging lens with a focal length of −111 mm. The device exhibited even optical transmission in the whole visible spectrum and effective curvature suitable for retinal images magnification with negligible geometrical aberrations. Optical spectrometry and in vitro wavefront analysis provide evidence supporting the feasibility of miniaturized telescopes as high-quality optical elements and a favorable option for AMD visual impairment treatments.