WRITER Michelle Hauschild

A new microcurrent stimulation treatment is being rolled out across Australia, with early adopters finding that it is meaningfully improving vision in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD).

Australia is only the second country to approve the MacuMira device, which originated in Canada, where it is having a real impact. More than 20,000 treatments have been delivered to about 4,000 Canadian patients from approximately 200 clinical sites, with no major adverse safety effects.

While not a cure, MacuMira “is about improving visual function”, said Bhupinderpal Lotay, Head of Business Transformation from medical device company, Keeler. Keeler has partnered with MacuMira to manufacture the device and lead its distribution in Australia and New Zealand through ParagonCare.

“Other treatments target progression. This is targeting how patients actually see,” Mr Lotay said. “The patients who benefit most from MacuMira have dry AMD in the early to late stages (with no central geographic

atrophy); these patients typically see positive response in terms of visual function, acuity, and contrast sensitivity.”

Crucially, these improvements are translating into functional gains. “Two patients are now legal to drive who weren’t before... it’s given them independence back,” she said.

Dr Jessica Luzhansky, an ophthalmologist from 2020Now in Melbourne, has treated about a dozen patients and reports similar outcomes, with patient vision improving by one to two lines.

“Our very first patient came in and he said, ‘This is unbelievable’. He could see the tiny numbers, the dates on coins. He was very excited. He’s now just had his top-up treatment and he’s so happy – he’s reading a lot. So, it’s definitely helpful.”

WHAT IS MACUMIRA? MacuMira uses low-level microcurrent stimulation, delivered via a headset, to stimulate the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), enhancing mitochondrial activity to support cellular energy production and preserve or improve visual function in people living with dry AMD.

MacuMira President Justin Sather said “all patients in the clinical trial showed improvements in vision, with some patients gaining over two lines of vision”.

“Our device is extremely safe, it is non- invasive, painless, and easily administered in an ophthalmologist’s office. We have seen no significant adverse effects in over 20,000 treatments in Canada.

“We look forward to improving the lives and visual function of the over 1.5 million Australians that suffer from dry age-related macular degeneration.

“I think our success in Canada will help pave the way in Australia. Although this is a new treatment in Australia, both doctors and patients can look to the success we’ve had in Canada and feel a sense of comfort in knowing how well the technology works. This is a simple but life changing treatment for patients with dry AMD.

“Patients suffering from this disease need to know there are options available to improve their vision,” Mr Sather said.

At the time of writing, seven Australian ophthalmologists – in Victoria (Melbourne), New South Wales (Sydney and Newcastle), Queensland (Bundaberg), and Western Australia (Perth) – had adopted the technology, with further expansion expected as clinicians gain experience and confidence.

PATIENT REFERRALS Because the device is so new to Australia, many patients with dry AMD who would benefit most from MacuMira are not being referred to ophthalmology.

FUNCTIONAL GAINS Two local ophthalmologists using the device have told mivision that their early results have been promising.

“A lot of the patients with slightly reduced vision from dry AMD have previously been sent back to their optometrists for monitoring, as there were no treatment options,” said Dr Sharma.

Dr Shanel Sharma, from Eye and Laser Surgeons in Sydney, said her initial scepticism has given way to cautious optimism. “In our clinic, there has been at least a one-line improvement,” she said.

“But they’re exactly the patients we now want to see – to try to improve their vision and quality of life. We need to be seeing these patients that we previously were discharging