Science Corp reports first PRIMA recipient with Stargardt disease

Science Corporation disclosed that the first patient with Stargardt disease received its PRIMA retinal implant in a trial at Sydney Eye Hospital. The procedure took place in May, and the company reported the milestone publicly on October 13. Stargardt disease is an inherited condition that can destroy central vision while leaving some inner retinal circuitry intact.

PRIMA places a small photovoltaic chip at the back of the eye and uses camera-equipped glasses to transmit visual information. According to the company, the first participant identified a letter during an initial rehabilitation session and later read a word. These are early observations from one patient, not an efficacy result across a completed trial.

The indication is distinct from the age-related macular degeneration population for which the device has already been used.