Dr. Daniel Adelberg Performs Arizona’s First ENCELTO™ Stem Cell-Based Gene Therapy Procedure for Macular Telangiectasia Type 2
Breakthrough treatment offers new hope for patients with a rare, progressive retinal disease
Phoenix, AZ — February 25, 2026 — Dr. Daniel Adelberg of Southwestern Eye Center, a leading ophthalmology practice managed by American Vision Partners – Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, has performed the first ENCELTO™ gene therapy procedure in Arizona, marking a significant milestone in advanced retinal care and personalized medicine.
The procedure treats Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel), a rare and progressive retinal disease that gradually damages the central retina and leads to vision loss. This landmark case represents a new treatment option for patients who previously had limited or no effective therapies available.
Macular Telangiectasia Type 2, also known as idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2, is a bilateral neurodegenerative disease typically diagnosed in adults over age 40. The condition causes localized retinal degeneration and the gradual loss of retinal cells, resulting in declining central vision and changes to the retinal blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the eye. MacTel is uncommon worldwide and historically has had few effective treatment options.
ENCELTO™, approved by the FDA in 2025 following a clinical study involving 228 patients, is an encapsulated stem cell-based gene therapy implant designed to slow disease progression and preserve vision.
About the size of a grain of rice, the ENCELTO implant is surgically placed inside the eye. It contains living cells that have been genetically modified to continuously produce and release recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor (rhCNTF) — a protective protein that supports retinal health and reduces the degeneration of photoreceptors, the light-sensitive cells responsible for vision.
By delivering stem cell-based therapy directly to the retina, ENCELTO helps protect retinal cells and may slow the vision loss associated with MacTel, helping patients maintain independence and quality of life.
“This treatment is a major breakthrough in ophthalmology and medicine,” said Dr. Daniel Adelberg, retina specialist at Southwestern Eye Center. “It represents proof of concept that stem cell-based therapies can provide long-term — and potentially lifelong — treatment options that were not previously possible.”
This breakthrough therapy is the result of years of scientific research and collaboration, including the Duke Reading Center’s role in clinical trial design and endpoint development. ENCELTO is intended for adults diagnosed with idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia Type 2. Candidates for treatment undergo a comprehensive retinal evaluation and medical history review to determine whether the therapy is appropriate. The introduction of ENCELTO therapy at Southwestern Eye Center expands access to advanced retinal treatments in Arizona and reinforces the practice’s commitment to bringing leading-edge technology to patients across the region.
About Southwestern Eye Center
Southwestern Eye Center, managed by American Vision Partners, is a leading provider of comprehensive ophthalmology services across Arizona. The practice offers advanced medical and surgical eye care, including retina treatment, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, and vision correction, delivered by experienced specialists using state-of-the-art technology. Southwestern Eye Center was established in 1982 in Mesa, Arizona, by Dr. Lothaire Bluth. Over the last 40 years, the practice has grown and continues to offer world-class technology and patient-first values across Arizona and New Mexico. The experienced team of doctors at Southwestern Eye Center are specialized in multiple fields of ophthalmology, including cataracts, retinal disease, glaucoma, and oculoplastics. Together, the caring team of physicians and staff make sure that their focus is always on providing the highest-quality eye care for their patients and convenient service for their communities. For more information, please visit http://www.SWeye.com.