How does the LMI work?

The main concept of the LMI is based on the use of an intraocular implant that contains mirrors. This implant creates a telescopic effect that modifies the central image while preserving the peripheral vision. That way the LMI redesigns vision on the human retina for treatment of retinal diseases.

This concept is new. OptoLight owns three patents on the LMI technology that were already granted by the US Patent and Trademark office.

The LMI is small in dimensions. It is designed to be a surgeon-friendly implant, making it easy to implant by an average cataract surgeon.

The use of mirrors provides flexibility to create a telescopic effect that cannot be achieved by using lenses. Mirror technology allows modification of the central image without dependence on the change in the index of refraction of the optical elements.

Using mirrors as optical elements is very common in many optical instruments, including telescopes such as external telescopes. By implanting mirrors inside the eye the light can be diverted in any way we want, thus creating magnification only of the central visual field.

As with external telescopes, the concept of optically treating patients that suffer from AMD or other retinal diseases consists of creating a magnified image on the central retina so that the image falls on a larger area than the diseases retina.

In AMD, most photoreceptor cells on the center of the macula do not function and cannot detect light, but photoreceptior cells in the more peripheral area are still alive and functioning.

By increasing central visual field using two times to three times magnification on the macula, we are able to use enough cells in order to create an image that can be seen by the patient.  

Advantages of the LMI: 

The LMI is similar in its dimensions to a regular intraocular lens that is used in cataract surgery. Therefore, implanting the LMI is similar to implanting PMMA cataract lenses. Any cataract surgeon can implant the LMI as it is designed to be surgeon-friendly.

AMD patients undergoing LMI implantation gain central vision magnification with no loss of the peripheral vision, which remains unchanged. This way, patients can detect an enlarged image on the center of the diseased retina with no negative effect to his/her orientation in space and movements abilities.

The LMI can be implanted in both eyes. It assists up to 80% of the individuals suffering from AMD (Dry or Wet type) and can also assist patients with other retinal diseases.

LMI implantation does not prevent future retinal treatments such as injections of anti-angiogenic drugs or PDT treatments. YAG laser treatments can also be performed, if needed, after LMI implantation.

Patient rehabilitation after the implantation is relatively quick, similar to rehabilitation after a normal cataract surgery.  

Future Products:

Using the same platform technology, the LMI can be designed for the treatment of other diseases. Among them: 

·  Macular diseases other than AMD: Stargards disease, macular holes, solar retinitis, inflammatory macular disease, such as Toxoplasmosis, and malignant myopia.

·  Albinism

· Diabetic Maculopathy: the LMI can assist diabetic maculopathy patients that have previously been treated with retinal laser (PRP) for their neovascularization.

· Advanced glaucoma:  patients who have stable glaucoma and suffer from restricted peripheral vision (tubular vision).

·  Retinitis Pigmentosa: solving the problem of peripheral vision by designing a mirror system that can increase the visual field rather than increase the magnification (like a mirror that we have in our cars). 

·  Correction of Presbyopia: by using a dynamic version of the LMI that includes moving elements (mirrors) to eliminate the need for reading glasses.