Scientists have made incredible advancements in the development of technology that has the ability to restore sight. The first phase of development has successfully restored patients sight to the pont where light and motion is discernable and the outlines of well-defined objects can be identified.
Phase two will enhance these abilities and include several additional light-sensitive electrodes and plans are to advance the technology to the point where blind patients can discern faces and be able to get around on their own.
This bionic eye may be available commercially as soon as 2009, given the great success seen so far.
A bionic eye that can restore sight to the blind should be available commercially within two years... An early version of the prosthetic retina has already been fitted to six patients... All have recovered the ability to detect light and motion, and even to make out large letters and to distinguish between objects such as a cup, a knife and a plate. The second-generation device that is now starting trials should provide even better vision, as it contains 60 light-sensitive electrodes, compared with 16 in the previous model. More improvements are expected within five to seven years with a 1000-electrode implant that will enable previously blind people to recognize faces, Humayun said.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment