Surgical Implant Shows Promise In Slowing Vision Loss From Rare Eye Disease

New research published in NEJM Evidence shows that a neuroprotective surgical implant could significantly slow vision loss from macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), a rare degenerative eye disease.

MacTel is an orphan retinal disorder that progressively damages central vision, and until now, there have been no approved treatments.

The study reports results from two Phase III clinical trials evaluating ENCELTO, a device implanted surgically to release a therapeutic protein that preserves vision.

The randomised trials, conducted at 47 international sites, enrolled 228 participants with MacTel and monitored their progress over 24 months.

Findings revealed that ENCELTO meaningfully preserved vision compared with the placebo.

“This is a step toward redefining how we think about vision loss. Instead of waiting for cells to die, we’re learning how to protect and preserve them,” said Professor Martin Friedlander of Scripps Research, US.

He noted that this marks the first time a therapy has altered the course of MacTel, confirming the potential of neuroprotection in degenerative retinal conditions.

How the ENCELTO Implant Works?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ENCELTO, which delivers ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a naturally occurring protein that protects retinal neurons.

The device contains genetically modified retinal pigment epithelial cells, which help nourish the retina. These cells are enclosed in a tiny, collagen-based capsule implanted at the back of the eye.

The capsule’s design shields the cells from immune rejection while allowing continuous release of CNTF for long-term, localised treatment.

The trials showed that ENCELTO significantly slowed the degeneration of photoreceptors, the light-sensitive nerve cells essential for central vision.

In one trial, the implant reduced the rate of ellipsoid zone loss, a key marker of retinal damage, by 54.8 per cent. The second trial recorded a 30.6 per cent reduction, which, though smaller, remained statistically significant.

These findings mark an important step towards addressing a disease that, until now, offered patients no hope of slowing its relentless progression. Researchers say the results could pave the way for similar neuroprotective strategies in other retinal conditions.

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