Eye Implants Bring Hope to the Blind

[Yoon]

Well, it appears that the reality of "bionic eyes" like what you see in sci-fi shows like Star Trek may happen much sooner than you think:


[quote]Exciting breakthroughs promise partial vision to blind, though much research work remains

Some disabilities, such as blindness have long been beyond the limits of our medical and technological prowess to cure. While significant advances have been made in preventing sight loss, many chronic, irreversible conditions remain that can lead to blindness. However, recent breakthroughs have turned science fiction into reality, offering limited vision to the fully blind.

Second Sight Vision, a U.S. company located near Los Angeles, is becoming the pioneering enterprise in commercial electro-ocular implants. Starting as early as 2004, it began carrying out research a series of 15 implants. The implants are part of a trial that has been going on for over three years, with patients in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. The trial is the first of its kind.

On Monday, two British citizens received the implants at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital. The two men, both in their 50s, were completely blind before the operation. If successful, the operation should grant them limited vision allow them to navigate around obstacles and see objects. The operation to implant the artificial implants inside the existing ocular tissue takes about 3 hours. The retinas cost about $23,000 USD and are predicted to be approved for general use within three years.

Lyndon da Cruz, the surgeon who performed both operations, was optimistic about the patients

[Jaegar]

I keep seeing bits and pieces of stuff like this. So they're up to 10x6 resolution? hmmmmm... If this keeps up I expect we'll have HD optical implants around 2025 XD