Technology and treatment in eye disease

There is still so much more progress that needs to be made, but we are seeing new options for patients who previously would have no option but to live without functional sight. For example, the introduction of effective gene therapies has been life changing for children with retinal conditions as they have seen a dramatic improvement in their vision. Similarly, digital technology is allowing for earlier detection of eye conditions, while wearable technology is enabling people with visual impairments to navigate the world in new ways.

PRIMA system results were “remarkably promising”

Last year, many of you will have seen the news about the PRIMA system, an implanted retinal chip, which works with a pair of smart glasses to enable use of functional vision for people living with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The results, published in October 2025 in the New England Journal of Medicine, were an analysis of an initial 32 patients. The early data from the trial suggest the approach can be effective and the experience of patients has been reported in several news sources, Sheila Irvine gives a particularly heartwarming account to Fergus Walsh in BBC coverage.

As well as the retinal chip and glasses, the system uses a built-in camera and associated pocket-sized processor, which convert light into signals that healthy retinal cells can send to the brain. Sheila’s account of going from being unable to read text to reading lines of text for the first time in many years, albeit slowly by her own account, is remarkably promising.

For people with inherited macular conditions, gene therapy is showing a lot of promise

Mixed progress for AMD treatment

In recent years, treatments and other technologies for macular disease have presented successes and disappointments. Wet AMD has seen some advances with the introduction of Vabysmo (faricimab), as well as the introduction of high dose Eylea (aflibercept). Both have shown promise in extending treatment intervals, meaning fewer intraocular injections for patients.

During a similar period, in the UK we saw a late-stage regulatory failure of a first treatment for dry AMD, which has been a huge disappointment for many people living with progressive sight loss. There are other treatments in the pipeline. For people with inherited macular conditions, gene therapy is showing a lot of promise. It is also being explored for both forms of AMD.

However, we need innovation from the perspective of both medical treatments, and digital technology-based solutions. Many researchers and technology developers have been exploring smart glasses to help navigate life with sight loss. I was at the Visionary Conference last September and there were several sessions exploring a range of technologies, ranging from smart glasses to some advanced assistive technology such as dynamic braille keyboards.

Having a range of technology and drug treatments available as part of a health plan is critical for patients, and I am hopeful that bionic systems can work well and adapt to a patient’s condition

Why patients need a combined, tailored approach

I firmly believe that technology works best in combination with other therapeutic approaches and when tailored to the individual. Treatments do not currently restore functional vision for patients, and for many, slowing the progression of sight loss is a best-case scenario. This is where the publication of the first results from the PRIMA System clinical trial came as exciting and welcome news.

I try to remain cautiously optimistic about new treatments. When I present new technologies or advances to patient groups the first questions are always “would it help me?” and “when can I get access to it?” This remains the key for technology of this variety. Initially, such systems can be too expensive for most people who would benefit from using it, so to reach as many people as possible they would need to be delivered through the NHS, unless prices for consumers become manageable in a reasonable timeframe.

Having a range of technology and drug treatments available as part of a health plan is critical for patients, and I am hopeful that bionic systems can work well and adapt to a patient’s condition, especially as the retina changes as their condition progresses. We hope to see many more examples of promising bionic technologies, and this one is certainly welcome for dry AMD, where for now drug treatments are currently elusive.

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Device enables reading vision in patients with geographic atrophy

A PRIMA electronic eye implant trial found 84% of participants could read letters and numbers