Bionic Eye - from sci-fi to reality…
Vision is a gift that we often take for granted. It allows us to appreciate the delicate intricacies and beauty around us, cherishing special moments. Now picture a world that is pitch black. Globally, 39 million people are blind. 1 For decades, research has been focused on the creation of a bionic eye to help shine a light on a world of darkness. Now, this is becoming a reality. Second Sight’s novel product, Argus® II, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa - a rare inherited disease in which the light-sensitive retina slowly and progressively degenerates. 2,3 The prosthesis involves surgically fitting an implant onto the retina, the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye. The patient wears a special pair of glasses into which a video camera has been fitted. This camera picks up the image and wirelessly sends signals to the implant, stimulating the retina and causing nerve impulse conduction to the visual cortex in the brain. Here, the