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Retinal degenerative diseases causing progressive vision loss and leading eventually to blindness affect many people worldwide. Lack of effective therapeutic methods inspires scientists to further research. The concept of visual prostheses has existed for more than 50 years. Currently safety and efficacy of subretinal and epiretinal implants is evaluated in the clinical trials. The first results are very promising. In this paper, we present the latest reports about retinal prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of a combined intravitreal therapy with prior photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Fifty-two patients (mean age: 72.7 years) with predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization received low-fluence PDT (42 J/cm2 for 72 s), followed 24 h later by a 0.4-ml core pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal injection of dexamethasone (0.8 mg) and bevacizumab (1.25 mg). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; 6 m Snellen), central macular thickness (optical coherence tomography), intraocular pressure and the need for retreatment were assessed. Results: BCVA changed significantly (vs. baseline) at 3 months (+0.11), 9 months (+0.19) and 14 months (+0.16). At the end of the follow-up period, BCVA had improved by >0.1 in the majority of the patients (72.9%), and the mean central retinal thickness had decreased by -44.3% (-211 μm). The retreatment rate was 25%. No increase in intraocular pressure or other adverse event was reported. Conclusions: The pharmacological effects of the drugs, the low-fluence PDT, and the physiological effects of the therapy may have contributed to the sustainability of the therapeutic benefits. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]