Hartford Hospital Performs Region’s First Implant of Vision‑Preserving Therapy for Rare Retinal Disease
HARTFORD, Conn. (April 1, 2026) - Hartford Hospital has become the first health system in the region to implant a newly approved, vision‑preserving retinal therapy for patients with a rare degenerative eye disease that previously had no approved treatment options.
The procedure was performed at Hartford Hospital by Scott D. Walter, MD, MSc, FASRS, Vice Chief of Ophthalmology at Hartford Hospital and Director of Ocular Oncology, in collaboration with a specialized multidisciplinary care team.
Dr. Walter is a nationally recognized expert in complex retinal diseases. The team completed the region’s first two implantations of ENCELTO (revokinagene taroretcel), a novel therapy designed to protect retinal cells and potentially slow vision loss in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).
ENCELTO is a small implant surgically placed inside the eye that contains living, genetically engineered cells. These cells continuously release a therapeutic protein intended to protect retinal cells and preserve visual function in certain degenerative retinal conditions.
Hartford Hospital is the first center in Connecticut, and among the first in the United States, to offer the therapy following its recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MacTel type 2. The implant represents a growing class of gene‑ and cell‑based therapies aimed at slowing or preventing permanent vision loss.
“Until now, patients with MacTel had no approved treatment options to slow the progression of their disease,” said Dr. Walter. “For the first time, we are able to offer a therapy designed to protect retinal cells and potentially preserve vision for patients affected by this rare condition.”
The implantation procedures are now being performed at Hartford Hospital by a multidisciplinary team that includes ophthalmic surgeons, anesthesia specialists, pharmacists and operating room staff. The surgeries followed nearly nine months of planning and coordination across multiple departments to ensure proper handling, timing and implantation of the living‑cell therapy.
Because the implant contains viable therapeutic cells, close coordination between the pharmacy and surgical teams is required to maintain precise conditions before and during the procedure.
“This milestone reflects the very best of Hartford Hospital,” said Cheryl Ficara, President of Hartford Hospital and Senior Vice President of Hartford HealthCare. “Being the first in our region to offer this innovative, vision‑preserving therapy is the result of collaboration and expertise across our teams. Most importantly, it underscores our commitment to putting the patient at the center of everything we do, bringing leading‑edge care to those who need it most and giving patients with rare conditions new hope for preserving their vision.”
Hartford Hospital is home to Connecticut’s only full‑time ocular oncology program and serves as a referral center for complex retinal and ocular conditions from across the region.
What is Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel)?
Macular Telangiectasia Type 2, often called MacTel, is a rare degenerative eye disease that affects the central portion of the retina (the macula) responsible for detailed vision.
Over time, the disease damages retinal cells and can lead to progressive central vision loss. Patients may experience:
Blurred or distorted central vision
Difficulty reading
Trouble recognizing faces
Until recently, no approved treatments existed to slow the progression of the disease. Encapsulated cell therapy (ECT) uses living, genetically engineered cells to produce ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and is now emerging as promising approach to protect retinal cells and preserve vision in MacTel.
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