PRIMA: A Retinal Implant for Geographic Atrophy
PRIMA is a retinal implant paired with camera glasses, studied for geographic atrophy from dry AMD, with 12-month results from a 38-patient clinical study.
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PRIMA
PRIMA: A Retinal Implant for Geographic Atrophy
PRIMA,
from Science Corporation, is a retinal implant studied for geographic atrophy
due to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Geographic atrophy is the
loss of cells in the central retina, which affects central vision. The implant
is a subretinal photovoltaic device, meaning it sits under the retina and turns
light into electrical signals. PRIMA is CE marked in the European Union and
registered for supply in the United Kingdom, and the company states it is not
available for sale in any other country.
How the Retinal Implant Works
The
system pairs the implant with glasses that have a front-facing camera and an
eye-facing projector. The camera captures the scene, and a pocket processor
sends stimulation parameters to the near-infrared projector, which lights a 2 ×
2 mm array of 378 light-powered pixels. The array stimulates inner retinal
bipolar cells, and peripheral vision is preserved. The company describes the
device as needing no cables or wiring passing into or out of the eye.
Procedure and Rehabilitation
A trained
vitreoretinal surgeon places the implant under the retina through pars plana
vitrectomy, a procedure that removes the gel-like vitreous from the eye.
Surgery averaged 2.0 to 2.5 hours. Patients then follow a structured
rehabilitation program of 60 hours with a dedicated vision rehabilitation
specialist, and the company says those who completed the full program were more
likely to achieve the best outcome. The procedure is offered at ten certified
centers: nine in Germany and Moorfields Private Eye Hospital in London.
Clinical Results
In a
prospective, single-arm, multicenter study of 38 patients, 80% gained at least
10 letters on the ETDRS chart, a standard eye chart, at 12 months. The mean
gain was about 25 letters, with a best individual gain of 59, and 84% reported
reading letters, numbers and words with artificial vision. The company notes that
these results include use of digital zoom and contrast. Safety was evaluated in
all 38 participants through 12 months, and an independent Data Safety
Monitoring Board considered the benefit-risk balance favorable.
Eligibility and Ongoing Research
The
clinical study enrolled adults aged 60 or older with geographic atrophy in both
eyes from AMD. Candidates need damage to the central photoreceptors with the
rest of the eye healthy, and conditions such as glaucoma, cataract and wet
macular degeneration are listed as exclusions. The results appeared in the New
England Journal of Medicine in 2026. Research continues for Stargardt disease
and retinitis pigmentosa, both listed as investigational.
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