First Ever Successful Combination of Robotic and Biological Vision in Humans

For the first time artificial and natural vision has ever been integrated in humans. A prosthesis that restores some central vision in patients with only limited peripheral vision remaining to them has been successfully implanted by scientists.

The research is being presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Seattle, Wash.

New View of Age-Related Macular Degeneration And MacTel
Age-related macular degeneration and macular telangiectasia (MacTel) are caused by abnormal growth of misshapen, leaky blood vessels in the eye's retina.

‘A prosthesis that restores some central vision in patients with only limited peripheral vision remaining to them has been successfully implanted by scientists.’

Tweet it Now

No patient reported confusion with the implant 'on' and both eyes open. One patient performed significantly better on direction and motion testing with the system 'on' than 'off', reporting that they were able to recognize the outline of faces and some facial characteristics, such as open/closed mouth within their central vision.

Four patients with significant loss of central vision stemming from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were selected for the implant. The safety of the implantation was monitored for approximately six months.

Source-Newswise

Thyroid Hormones and Vision Loss Due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration
In a recent study, free thyroxine levels (FT4) were found to positively correlate with development of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration Urged By Ophthalmologists
According to a study, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to be the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States for people over age 65.

Starving Eye Cells Contribute To Age-related Macular Degeneration in Elderly
Starved eye cells secrete signals that attract new blood vessels in order to increase nutrient supply. However, these vessels cause a decline in eyesight, leading to blindness.