What are Bionic eye Implants, and how do they work?
Bionic eye implants, also called retinal prostheses, partially restore vision in individuals with retinal diseases that result in a loss of photoreceptors. Although the technology currently does not fully restore vision, it enables them to perceive light, shapes, and movement, which allows them to perform everyday tasks that would’ve otherwise been difficult without the help of others.
Retinal prostheses are surgically implanted into the retina in the affected eye and act as artificial photoreceptors to replace the damaged ones. The implant captures light and converts it into electrical signals, stimulating the remaining healthy retinal cells and allowing the brain to perceive light patterns.
Future development
The development of retinal prosthetic devices has introduced four types of implant designs, including epiretinal prostheses (in which electrodes are placed on the retina), subretinal prostheses (in which electrodes are placed beneath the retina), suprachoroidal prostheses (in which electrodes are placed in the suprachoroidal space) and intrascleral prostheses (where the electrodes are placed within a pocket in the sclera).
Implantation risk
During implantation, there are several surgical risks, such as retinal tears, retinal detachments, damage to the eye or orbit, and ocular infection. Although there haven’t been any reported incidents of a patient losing their residual natural vision during clinical trials, it’s still a risk when undergoing the procedure.
Challenges and Concerns
Much progress has been made with biotic eye implants, but there are still challenges to improving the visual outcome. More research will have to be done to improve the extent of repaired vision further. There is also concern regarding the commercially viable and widely accessible treatment option.
Conclusion
Bionic eye implants hold great potential for offering individuals with vision loss a chance to live with greater independence. While the technology still provides limited vision, with time, it will likely improve to the extent it is able to restore.
References
Ayton, Lauren N, et al. “An Update on Retinal Prostheses.” Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2020,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7198351/.
Wu, Kevin Y., et al. “Retinal Prostheses: Engineering and Clinical Perspectives for Vision Restoration.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 21 June 2023, www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/13/5782.
Merabet, Lotfi B. “Building the Bionic Eye: An Emerging Reality and Opportunity.” Progress in Brain Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326660/.
“The Bionic Eye: Fighting Blindness Canada.” Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC), 8 June 2022, www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/the-bionic-eye/.
Bloch, Edward, et al. “Advances in Retinal Prosthesis Systems.” Therapeutic Advances in Ophthalmology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6350159/.
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