Anatomical and functional results of patients with late-stage age-related macular degeneration 6 months after smaller-incision new-generation implantable miniature telescope (SING IMT™) implantation

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes of the Smaller-Incision New Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope (SING IMT™) in patients with bilateral advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This non-comparative retrospective single-surgeon interventional case series included patients with bilateral late-stage AMD who underwent cataract surgery and SING IMT™ implantation at the Sant’Anna University Hospital, University of Ferrara, Italy. The main outcome measures included corrected distance (CDVA) and near visual acuity (CNVA), endothelial cell loss (ECL), and incidence of complications. Results: 11 eyes of 11 patients were included. The mean follow-up duration was 6.5 ± 2.4 months. After surgery, CDVA significantly improved (from 17.00 ± 9.74 to 26.00 ± 8.53) letters (P = 0.008). Significant improvement of CNVA was also observed (from 12.27 ± 4.36 to 8 ± 2.61 Jaeger levels; P = 0.004). Mean ECL was 4.8 ± 5.5% at 3 months. No intraoperative complications were observed, while postoperative complications included iris incarceration (9.1%), pigment deposition on the device (9.1%), and transient corneal oedema (27.3%). Nevertheless, 10 of 11 patients (90.9%) began to complain of blurred or hazy vision within 3 months of surgery. The device was ultimately explanted in 3 patients (27.3%) because of this symptom. Conclusions: Although SING IMT™ implantation is associated with promising objective results, unexplained blurred or hazy vision represents common postoperative complaints which may lead to patient dissatisfaction. Further studies including patient-reported outcomes are warranted to evaluate the effect of the intervention on patients’ visual function and quality of life.