Bionic eye restores blind vision
'Bionic' eye gives blind people some sightIan Sample and Rachel Williams, The Guardian, Tuesday April 22 2008
Translation: Inopressa
Surgeons implanted "bionic eyes" to two men in their fifties and partially restored their vision. Yesterday, it was officially confirmed that they became the first patients in the UK to be fitted with an artificial retina during a three-hour operation at Moorfields Ophthalmological Hospital in London. Both were completely blind, but now they can move independently and distinguish between simple objects. If the experiment proves successful, the widespread use of artificial retina will be approved within three years. The cost of the operation will be 15 thousand pounds.
Both patients suffer from a hereditary disease – retinitis pigmentosa, which gradually destroys the light-sensitive cells of the eye. In the UK, about 25 thousand people suffer from this disease.
During the operation, a tiny metal plate with electrodes was placed on the retina in the back of the eye.
A miniature video camera mounted on glasses directs images to electrodes that are connected to the brain with the help of the optic nerve.
Patients wear a small device on their belt to power the camera and process images. The system does not recreate natural vision, but allows you to see basic images using a grid with sixty electrodes (10x6).
The two Britons are part of a group of 15 patients who were fitted with artificial retinas during three-year trials in the US, Mexico and Europe.
"These are completely blind people who cannot navigate in space without a cane, a dog or an assistant. We want to find out if we can provide them with at least basic vision, which will help them, first of all, to move around and gain some independence," said Lyndon da Cruz, a consultant surgeon who performed operations last week. Moorfields plans to help three more patients soon, and then five more if there are no complications. The device was developed by the American company Second Sight and is an improved version of its prototype with 16 electrodes on a 4x4 grid, first implanted in 2002 and allowed patients to move independently and distinguish between basic objects such as a cup or plate on the table. The latest version has 60 electrodes, which allows you to see much more details.
Doctors believe that patients will need several months to master the system.
According to the director of Second Sight in Europe, Greg Kosendai, "they should receive enough information to (in the future) be able to read." This does not mean that such a technique will necessarily appear in these patients, but along with face recognition, it is certainly our prospect."
64-year-old Linda Morfut from Long Beach (California) was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 21, and she was almost completely blind by the age of 50. Her left eye only perceives light a little. She was fitted with an implant with sixteen electrodes in 2004.
"When they gave me the glasses, I had an amazing feeling," she recalls. – I can play basketball with my grandson, I can stand in the middle of the sidewalk. I can find a door to leave the room and see my granddaughter dancing on stage.
When we arrived in New York, I saw the Statue of Liberty, how big it is. In Paris, we climbed the Eiffel Tower at night, and I saw all the lights of the city. I felt more involved in the world around me."
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru
23.04.2008