New Prosthetic to Help Restore Vision

People with degenerative eye diseases might someday see the world in a new light as researchers at Stanford University have invented a new type of prosthetic implant that could send visual inputs to the brain.

The wireless prosthetic works on near-infrared light to transmit signals. The device works like video goggles for gaming but here the signal pulses are beamed to a photovoltaic silicon chip placed beneath the retina.

The wearer would have a small camera in the goggles plus a pocket PC to process the visual data.

“It works like the solar panels on your roof, converting light into electric current. But instead of the current flowing to your refrigerator, it flows into your retina,” said Daniel Palanker, associate professor of ophthalmology and lead author of the study.

For more details you can read the original article published on medicaldaily.com on May 14, 2012.

According to National Eye Institute, Age-Related Macular Degeneration is a common eye condition among people age 50 or older. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. It gradually destroys the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed for seeing objects clearly.

The prosthetic will help people with AMD as well as retinitis pigmentosa - an eye disease where the retina is damaged. This condition is genetic and is uncommon in US with only one among 4000 people suffering from the disease.

However, AMD is far more prevalent. According to estimates, by 2020, U.S. will have about 2.90 million people with AMD.

Your eyesight is your most precious sense. 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore’s vision is for all of Central Florida to have access to proper eye care. Schedule a 20/20 Eye-Cam retinal screening today and help yourself and others see clearly tomorrow.