Retinal implant trial extended

Approval has been given to extend a German trial of retinal implants aimed at improving the vision of patients with retinitis pigmentosa to centres in the UK.

The trial, which began in Tuebingen, Germany in 2010, will be expanded across Europe in five new sites: Oxford, London, Budapest and two additional locations in Germany.

Unlike the first human clinical trial, patients are able to keep the implant permanently and use the microchip in real-life settings.

Initial results for the implants, produced by Retina Implant AG, have shown that placement of the implant below the retina in the macular region provided optimum visual results, allowing patients to recognise foreign objects and to read letters to form words.