Scientists have created an eye implant to help blind patients see again by partially restoring central vision, crucial for everyday tasks like reading. The device was tested on patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration and showed promising results, achieving clinically meaningful improvements in their vision.
In a groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that 81% of trial participants experienced significant improvements in their vision after receiving the implant. The technology targets geographic atrophy, a form of AMD that causes irreversible blindness in older people.
The device uses a camera mounted on special glasses to capture images, which are then projected onto a wireless retinal implant. This converts light into electrical pulses sent to the brain. Results showed that patients were able to read numbers or words with ease at home, improving their vision by an average of 25 letters on a standard eye chart.
The success of this technology marks a significant milestone in treating late-stage age-related macular degeneration. While the exact cost is still unknown, the company behind the device aims to make it available to as many people as possible while maintaining a reasonable price.
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/c2e8cb34-7d09-4360-9647-b7cbb09f0a5d