A pioneering clinical trial has found that a tiny wireless retinal implant helps people with the most common form of blindness caused by age related macular degeneration(AMD) regain central vision, a major breakthrough in the field of vision restoration technology. Wireless retinal implant helps blind patients see again | ScienceDaily
AMD is the largest contributor to permanent blindness among the elderly and affects millions of people worldwide. The clinical trial found that more than 80 percent of the participants experienced a significant improvement in visual acuity with the help of a 2 x 2 mm wireless retinal implant inserted into the retina. The glasses and invisible near infrared signals sent from the glasses enable the retinal implant to transmit light into the retina and restore the connection with the brain.
Patients were able to read letters, numbers, and even words, which they had not been able to do for years due to the disease. Patients were able to read 25 letters on the eye chart, which translates into five lines of visual improvement.
Developed over more than a decade of research, this technology marks a major step forward in treating retinal diseases that were previously considered irreversible. The company behind the device has now begun seeking regulatory approval in Europe and the United States.
As devices like this change the landscape of sensory restoration, how should healthcare systems prioritize access and affordability for life enhancing technologies like retinal implants?
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