PRIMA Implant Shows Clinical Potential

Clinical Trial Download: Early PRIMAvera trial data suggest that subretinal photovoltaic implantation is a viable approach to restoring central vision in GA.

By: Frank Brodie, MD, MBA, Nitish Mehta, MD, Yasha Modi, MD

Retinal Physician May 1, 2026 Vol 23, Issue May-June 2026 Page(s): 21-22, 24

5 Key Takeaways

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The PRIMA implant is a subretinal photovoltaic device designed to restore vision in patients with geographic atrophy (GA).
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In a clinical study, 81% of participants showed clinically meaningful improvement in vision after receiving the PRIMA implant.
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The PRIMA device uses infrared light for power, eliminating the need for external wires, and allows for higher resolution vision restoration.
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Surgical complications occurred in 19 of 38 participants, highlighting the importance of monitoring adverse events in new surgical devices.
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The PRIMA implant demonstrated potential for significant visual restoration, but further data is needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy.

Frank Brodie

Medical Director for Vision and PRIMA

Affiliations: Science Corporation

Bio: Frank Brodie, MD, MBA, is medical director for vision and PRIMA at Science Corporation. His work described in Retinal Physician centers on the PRIMA subretinal photovoltaic implant system, a near-infrared–sensitive microarray being developed to restore central vision in patients with advanced geographic atrophy who have intact inner retinal layers. In discussing the PRIMA system, Dr. Brodie described the device’s subretinal photovoltaic design, wireless augmented-reality glasses interface, and intended stimulation of overlying bipolar cells as part of an approach to restoring the visual cascade in advanced retinal disease.

Nitish Mehta, MD

Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology

Affiliations: NYU Langone

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Nitish Mehta, MD, is an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at NYU Langone in New York City. His work in Retinal Physician includes clinical commentary on emerging approaches for geographic atrophy, including subretinal photovoltaic implantation intended to restore central vision.

Yasha Modi

Bio: Yasha Modi, MD, is a physician author whose work in Retinal Physician focuses on ophthalmic imaging for retinal disease. He has written about the use of optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, fundus photography, and OCT angiography in the diagnosis and management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. His published article discusses how imaging can help distinguish exudative AMD from polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and central serous chorioretinopathy with secondary neovascularization, classify neovascularization types, and identify OCT biomarkers relevant to visual prognosis and treatment counseling.

PentaVision

Retinal Physician

PRIMA Implant Shows Clinical Potential

5 Key Takeaways

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