AdventHealth Shawnee Mission completes first implant cell-based therapy for rare eye disease in Kansas

MERRIAM, Kan. — On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the first procedure in the state of Kansas to treat Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) using a new therapeutic implant was performed at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission by Ophthalmologist Ravi Singh, MD with Retina Associates, and a dedicated surgical team.

The implant, an encapsulated cell-based gene therapy (ECT) called revakinagene taroretcel-lwey (or ENCELTO), is about the size of a grain of rice and contains living cells that release a protective protein to slow macular degeneration—preserving vision and independence for patients with MacTel.

MacTel is a rare, bilateral, neurodegenerative disease in adults with characteristic localized retinal degeneration that causes the gradual loss of cells in the retina, resulting in vision loss and secondary alterations of the retinal vasculature, the network of blood vessels that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the retina. Additional symptoms include blurry or distorted vision, trouble seeing details, difficulty reading, working and driving, and trouble seeing at night or in dim lighting. Living with this condition has been known to impact patient's quality of life, taking a toll on their mental well-being. There was no treatment to slow the progression of this rare disease until the FDA approved the new ECT in 2025.

"We wish to congratulate Dr. Singh and the incredible surgery team at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission who put our patient’s quality of life first by performing this procedure,” said Bela Nand, MD, regional chief medical officer, AdventHealth Mid-America Region. "To us, it’s not about being first in the state of Kansas to perform this treatment; it’s about showing that we are bringing the latest innovations in medicine and technology to better treat our patients."

Since MacTel is a bilateral disease, meaning it impacts both eyes, Dr. Singh performed the ECT procedure on one eye and will operate on the second eye in April.