SYLMAR, Calif.— Second Sight Medical Products announced that its Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (“Argus II”) will be initially offered in 12 major markets across the U.S. to treat patients with late stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This news follows U.S. market approval for the Argus II by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February of this year. The Argus II is the first and only “bionic eye” to be approved in countries throughout the world, including the U.S.

In preparation for the launch of Argus II later this year, implanting centers will soon begin to accept consultations for patients with RP. These centers will be located at nationally recognized and prestigious hospitals in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Atlanta, Ga.; Baltimore, Md.; Chicago, Ill.; Cleveland, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Durham, N.C.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and San Francisco, Calif.

“We are thrilled that several of the nation’s top hospitals will be the first to offer Argus II to patients in the U.S.,” said Brian Mech, vice president of business development, Second Sight. “After an intensive and difficult selection process, these sites were chosen for their cutting-edge approach to medicine and unparalleled commitment to patient care. We are confident that RP patients seeking treatment at these centers will benefit greatly from the best-in-class services these sites provide.”

The Argus II is a retinal implant that is designed to provide electrical stimulation to the retina, to induce visual perception in blind individuals with RP.

In order to make the Argus II therapy more widely accessible to patients with end-stage RP, the company will continue to actively identify additional centers across the country, while at the same time working to ensure adequate insurance coverage for the system and the medical activities surrounding the delivery of the therapy. Second Sight encourages interested patients and surgical centers to contact the company for more information.