American scientists have invented an eye implant that will help blind patients restore their vision, partially restoring the vision necessary for reading and other daily activities, reports the Financial Times.
"This study confirms that for the first time we can restore functional central vision in patients blinded by geographic atrophy. The implant represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of late-stage age-related macular degeneration," said Frank Holz, head of the ophthalmology department at the University Hospital Bonn, who conducted the study.
The new technology, according to reports, consists of a camera attached to special glasses worn by the patient. The camera captures images and transmits them to a 2 x 2 mm wireless retinal implant. This implant converts light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. The study found that the device was helpful for 81% of patients with progressive age-related macular degeneration.
The publication notes that the study was funded by the American Science Corporation, which plans to produce an eye implant based on the project of Daniel Palanker, a professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University. The company has applied for approval for clinical use of the product in the US and Europe.
Translation by Euromedia24.com
