Eyes of the Future
Since the early 1930’s, scientists have studied and experimented with the use of electricity to stimulate vision through the visual centers in the brain in the blind. Because
of the advancement of biomaterials, electronics, and retinal surgery since the
1990’s, the potential of these technologies became a reality. The
tests have shown that visual prostheses were the most probable options to
successfully work in the retinas of blind individuals. The hopes of scientists were to release a prototype into the public before 2013. This goal was met in May of 2012.
Here you see the light-sensitive chip that is attached under the retina at the back of the eye. It converts light into electrical impulses which are then sent to the brain. The patient is then able to interpret the light falling onto the tiny 1,500 pixel implant as recognizable images. The implant costs about $100,000 to $150,000 excluding surgery and maintenance costs.
It's the difference between night and day
The artificial eye works with a variety of components. An electric retina with a microchip is implanted into the eye where the original retina of the blind individual was damaged. The retina is also connected to a power source placed in a different region of the head. Also, it contains tiny electrodes that accept the radio signals made by the microchip and uses electricity to stimulate the retinal cells. The cells send messages to the optic nerve. From the optic nerve, the message or image is sent to the visual centers of the brain to be interpreted.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
The bionic eye that is being developed is only able to be implanted in those with a blind condition called retinitis pigmentosa. This is a genetic condition that causes gradual deterioration of the light-detecting cells in the retina, which can lead to blindness. Normal vision usually allows a person to see everything in front of them. However, a person with retinitis pigmentosa will see only a small, usually circular area. This small area of sight lies directly wherever the individuals still have functioning photoreceptors.
"It's obviously early days but it's encouraging that i am already able to
detect light where previously this would not have been possible for me".
-Chris James (Previously Blind)
In 2012, the first prototype of the visual prosthesis, commonly referred to as the bionic eye, was successfully implanted into a human eye socket. The eye allowed those who were once blind to see light against dark surfaces. A few were able to slightly see shapes and distinguish between different items. Before his operation on 22 March 2012, Chris James had been completely blind in his left eye for more than ten years and could only distinguish lights in his right eye. When his electronic retina was switched on for the first time, three weeks after the operation, James was able to distinguish light against a black background in both eyes.
FDA Approved
The FDA approved a device created by Second Sight Medical Products that can be used to treat the rare type of blindness of retinitis pigmentosa. About 100,000 Americans are believed to be affected by the illness, which causes a gradual deterioration of the eyes' photoreceptor cells.
References
Merabet, L.B. (2011). Building the Bionic Eye: An Emerging Reality and Opportunity. From PubMed Web Site: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
Ong, J. M. and da Cruz, L. (2012), The bionic eye: a review. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Walsh, F (2012). Two blind British men have electronic retinas fitted. from BBC News WebSite: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17936302
Images
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/02/16/news/entertainment/feds-ok-first-bionic-eye-to-help-blind/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10361725-1.html
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/10/argus-ii-bionic-eye-gets-successful-test-run.html
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh3MaoPVdNM
USciences
WR 102-06
Christine Gayed
Merabet, L.B. (2011). Building the Bionic Eye: An Emerging Reality and Opportunity. From PubMed Web Site: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
Ong, J. M. and da Cruz, L. (2012), The bionic eye: a review. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Walsh, F (2012). Two blind British men have electronic retinas fitted. from BBC News WebSite: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17936302
Images
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/02/16/news/entertainment/feds-ok-first-bionic-eye-to-help-blind/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10361725-1.html
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/10/argus-ii-bionic-eye-gets-successful-test-run.html
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh3MaoPVdNM
USciences
WR 102-06
Christine Gayed