New Delhi: A new eye implant may offer hope for people suffering from a rare and progressive eye disease known as macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel). This condition affects the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision—and leads to gradual vision loss over time. Until now, there have been no approved treatments to slow or stop the disease.
A recent study published in NEJM Evidence has shown that a device called ENCELTO may help slow down the damage caused by MacTel. The implant is placed in the back of the eye through a surgical procedure and slowly releases a special protein that protects retinal cells from damage.
The study included 228 people with MacTel from 47 locations around the world. Participants were tracked over a period of 24 months to see how their eyes responded to the treatment. Results from the two clinical trials showed that the implant helped slow the loss of photoreceptors—important light-sensing cells in the eye.
In the first trial, people who received the implant experienced a 54.8% slower rate of retinal damage, while the second trial showed a 30.6% slower rate. Both results were considered significant and suggest that the implant is effective in preserving vision.
The ENCELTO implant works by delivering ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)—a naturally occurring protein known to support and protect nerve cells in the retina. The protein is released continuously by specially engineered cells enclosed in a small collagen-based capsule. This design allows the protein to reach the retina while protecting the implanted cells from being attacked by the body’s immune system.
Professor Martin Friedlander of Scripps Research, one of the lead researchers, said the goal of this approach is to protect the cells before they are lost, rather than waiting until damage is already done.
This new development could be a helpful option for patients with MacTel, offering a way to slow down vision loss and maintain quality of life for a longer time.