What is Argus II used for?
What is Argus II used for?
Medical use The Argus II is specifically designed to treat people with retinitis pigmentosa. The device was approved with data from a single-arm clinical trial that enrolled thirty people with severe retinitis pigmentosa; the longest follow-up on a trial subject was 38.3 months.
Is Argus II covered by insurance?
Is the Argus II covered by insurance? The Argus® II system is presently reimbursed through a majority of Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and Medicare Advantage Plans operating in the geographic areas where coverage exists. Also many private insurance companies pay for Argus II on a case-by-case basis.
How does Argus II work?
The VPU converts the video images into stimulation commands and is body-worn. The cable connects the glasses to the VPU. The Argus II System operates by converting video images into electrical energy that activates retinal cells, delivering the signal through the optic nerve to the brain where it is perceived as light.
How much does Argus II cost?
The cost of the Argus II is approximately $150,000; additional fees include the implantation surgery and training to use the device. The Second Site website provides an illustrated system overview, including a video animation.
What are the benefits of bionic eye?
The successful development of a bionic eye has the potential to change lives in a very real, very hands-on way. Restoring even basic sight to those with impaired vision may allow them to become more mobile and independent, and return to them some of the quality of life they lost when their vision disappeared.
Who is eligible for a bionic eye?
People who are most likely to benefit from a bionic eye are middle-aged or elderly with very poor vision associated with age-related macular degeneration (a condition that causes degeneration in the cells found in the centre of the retina) or retinitis pigmentosa (a group of hereditary diseases that destroy …
Can a blind person get an eye transplant and see again?
There is no such thing as a whole-eye transplant. The optic nerve, which goes directly to the brain, cannot be transplanted; and this nerve is damaged for many people who are blind. The eye transplant would not work without also transplanting the optic nerve.
How would a bionic eye work?
The bionic vision system consists of a camera, attached to a pair of glasses, which transmits high-frequency radio signals to a microchip implanted in the retina. Electrodes on the implanted chip convert these signals into electrical impulses to stimulate cells in the retina that connect to the optic nerve.
Who qualifies to get a bionic eye?
Read more: Explainer: what is age-related macular degeneration? To date, only people with degenerative retinal diseases have been eligible to receive a bionic eye. Three retinal bionic eyes have been approved for commercial sale: the Argus II developed in the USA, the Alpha-AMS in Germany, and the IRIS V2 in France.
Is a vitrectomy a serious operation?
Vitrectomy procedures are an effective surgery and severe complications are rare. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, most surgeries have a 90 percent success rate.
Can you go blind from vitrectomy?
If not treated, some of them can even result in blindness. In some cases, vitrectomy can restore lost vision. You might need a vitrectomy done in an emergency — an eye injury, for example. In other cases, your eye doctor might schedule your vitrectomy in advance.
How many Argus II systems have been implanted?
Currently, Second Sight Medical Products, Inc has commercially launched Argus II worldwide. As of the first quarter of 2015, 19 Argus II systems have been successfully implanted. Dr.
Are there any clinical trials for Argus prosthesis?
Currently, there are two ongoing clinical trials i.e., the “Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System – Better Vision RP Study” and “Argus ® II Retinal Stimulation System Feasibility Protocol.”
How does the Argus II restore the sense of sight?
Patients who suffer from RP are unable to detect light due to the absence of photoreceptors. The Argus II restores the sense of sight with advanced bioelectronic technology.
How long does it take to heal from Argus II?
Once the Argus II has been implanted, you will return to the clinic after approximately 4 weeks of healing to have your Argus II activated and programmed to your specific needs. Your rehabilitation process is unique to your personal goals and needs.