Retinal Prosthesis System for Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Health Technology Assessment Update

 Retinitis pigmentosa is an eye disease people are born with. People who have it slowly lose their vision. The Argus II retinal implant is the only treatment approved by Health Canada for retinitis pigmentosa. A device is implanted in a patient’s eye, and it works with a special set of glasses to restore some vision to people with this disease. 

In 2016, Health Quality Ontario published a health technology assessment of the Argus II system. In the current report, we updated our assessment based on evidence published since then. We assessed the clinical benefits and harms of the Argus II system, value for money, and the budget impact of publicly funding it. We also interviewed people who have used it to learn more about their experiences.