Trials for 'bionic' eye implants (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Jonathan Fildes
Science and technology reporter, BBC News, San Francisco

A bionic eye implant that could help restore the sight of millions of blind people could be available to patients within two years.

US researchers have been given the go-ahead to implant the prototype device in 50 to 75 patients.

The Argus II system uses a spectacle-mounted camera to feed visual information to electrodes in the eye.

Patients who tested less-advanced versions of the retinal implant were able to see light, shapes and movement.
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Retinal implants are able to partially restore the vision of people with particular forms of blindness caused by diseases such as macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa.


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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6368089.stm

[crim son]

1. Incredibly cool.

I wonder if there will be a backlash against this technology as there has been against hearing-based technology. No matter, I wouldn't let that stop me from using it.

[anitar1]

2. This is very exciting news. thanks for posting it. n/t

[Prophet 451]

3. Fantastic, isn't it?

Let this be a lesson to schoolchildren: If we try hard enough for long enough, there is nothing which can't be achieved.