Do images of cyborgs or The Six Million Dollar Man spring to mind when you hear the term "bionic eye"? This staple of science fiction has become a reality, and although it is still early days, this new technology is already offering hope and assistance to people suffering from near or total vision loss.
The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, as the device is officially called, was developed in California and approved for use by the FDA in February 2013. To date, a limited number of patients have been able to experience this device, including a North Carolina man who just last month was able to see for the first time in 30 years using this system, according to Today Health.
Why Would Someone Need a Bionic Eye?
The Argus II is intended to restore some functional vision to patients who have lost it due to retinal degeneration, especially those with a genetically inherited disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This is a condition where the rods and cones (the photoreceptors at the back of the eye) have become damaged and can no longer send visual information to the brain, rendering the patient blind. The FDA has assessed that this device replaces the function of the rods and cones and may therefore improve a patient's ability to perceive images and movement.
What Does the Bionic Eye Look Like?
The device is actually a two-part system with both internal and external components. The first part is an "epiretinal prosthesis," a biomedical implant that consists of a small electronics case and antenna with a tiny electrode array that is inserted into the eye on top of the retina. The external portion is a wraparound headset that looks like a sporty pair of sunglasses with a tiny camera on the bridge of the nose, and a round antenna on one arm of the glasses. This is connected to a small computer or video processing unit (VPU) that the patient can carry in his pocket.
How Does the Bionic Eye Work?
According to Second Sight, who developed the device, Argus II produces sight when the camera on the glasses captures a scene and sends the visual data to the VPU, which sends the processed information back to the antenna on the glasses. The info is then transmitted wirelessly to the antenna on the implant device located inside the patient's eye. This sends signals to the electrode sitting on top of the retina, which in turn emits small pulses of electricity that stimulate any remaining retinal cells. Finally, this transmits the visual information to the optic nerve, which can then relay it to the brain.
What Do Patients with a Bionic Eye Actually See?
According to the manufacturers, the vision that is restored to a patient with the Argus II is not the same as the natural vision that he had before losing his sight. The results (which may vary) have been described as a somewhat "pixelized" form of vision composed of spots of light, which patients must learn to interpret. This can still provide them with useful spatial information however; finding a door or identifying the edge of a road, for example, could make a huge difference in a patient's independence and mobility.
So while the bionic eye's current capabilities may not be as dramatic as a cyborg's, it doesn't make it any less valuable to someone who is otherwise in the dark. The technology will continue to evolve and will surely be used to help many more people see in the future.
For questions or comments, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic.
