Second Sight Medical wins U.K. reimbursement nod for Argus II ‘ bionic eye ’

Second Sight Medical (NSDQ:EYES) said today that the U.K.’s National Health Service granted reimbursement for the company’s Argus II retinal prosthesis system for blind patients with retinitis pigmentosa. The Argus II induces visual perception in blind patients with retinitis pigmentosa by stimulating of the retina’s remaining cells with electrical pulses, which allows for the perception of light patterns to the brain, the company said. The U.K.’s NHS said that “a selective group of severely blind patients with Retinits Pigementosa can have access to the Argus II,” according to Second Sight. “I’m delighted that our pioneering research has provided the evidence to support NHS England’s decision to fund the ‘bionic eye’ for the first time. I have seen first-hand how beneficial and life changing this technology has been to RP patients who are completely blind. We live in a visual world, so it is reassuring and life affirming for a person who is completely blind to regain some basic vision. This is a wonderful decision. For patients’ families, it is also a life-enhancing treatment, because it can mean less dependence for their loved ones,” Paulo Stanga of the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital said in prepared remarks. Two implantation centers, the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital, will perform the procedures. Sylmar, Calif.-based Second Sight and the implanting hospitals will provide rehabil...
Source: Mass Device - Category: Medical Equipment Authors: Tags: Business/Financial News Optical/Ophthalmic Second Sight Medical Products Inc. Source Type: news