Archive · 11 Aug 2025
Implant Slows Vision Loss from Blinding Eye Disease: Study
Imagine your eyes have a problem called MacTel that slowly damages the part that helps you see clearly.
Scientists have created a tiny implant that can help slow down this damage.
This implant is like a tiny helper that releases a special medicine called CNTF, which protects the important cells in your eye.
The medicine helps save the light-sensing cells that let you see.
The study showed that this implant worked much better than a pretend treatment, helping people keep their vision for longer.
A new study shows a surgical implant can slow vision loss from macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).
The ENCELTO implant releases a therapeutic protein to preserve vision in those with the retinal disorder.
The study involved 228 participants across 47 international sites over 24 months.
The implant demonstrated a significant reduction in photoreceptor loss compared to sham treatments.
The US FDA-approved implant delivers ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a protein protecting retinal neurons.
- Who
- The study involved people with macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).
- What
- A surgical implant slows vision loss from MacTel by releasing a therapeutic protein.
- When
- The study results were published in NEJM Evidence, following a 24-month period.
- Where
- The study was conducted across 47 sites internationally.
- Why
- To preserve vision in people with MacTel, for which there have been no previous approved treatments.
- Disease
- Macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel)
- Treatment
- ENCELTO surgical implant
- Protein Delivered
- Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)
- Trial Duration
- 24 months
- Participants
- 228