Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it had approved the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay — a device implanted in the cornea of one eye to improve near vision in certain patients with presbyopia.
Manufactured by ReVision Optics, Inc. of Lake Forest, Calif., the device is reportedly made of a hydrogel material that is inserted into the patient's non-dominant eye. According to ReVision Optics' website, Raindrop is the first and only corneal inlay that creates a prolate-shaped cornea, and is easily placed under a femtosecond laser flap.
The device is indicated for patients ages 41 to 65 who have not had cataract surgery and are unable to focus clearly on near objects or small print and need reading glasses with +1.50 to +2.50 diopters of power.
According to the FDA, this the second FDA-approved implantable corneal device for correction of near vision in patients who have not had cataract surgery and the first implantable device that changes the shape of the cornea to achieve improved vision.
Photo courtesy ReVision Optics
Click here to read the full press release.