First British bionic eye implantIn 2008, the first procedure in Britain to implant "bionic" eyes was carried out at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, on two blind patients with retinal pigmentosa but intact optic nerves. In 4-hr operations, surgeons implanted a tiny electrode panel into the back of the eye and an ultra-thin receiver under the skin near the ear to pick up a wireless signal from a tiny camera on sunglasses and a signal processor worn on a belt. The patients can then perceive an array of spots of light showing crude shapes and movements. This international test with three other European hospitals followed clinical trials around the U.S. by the Californian firm, Second Sight, founded in 1998 to develop the Argus II retinal implant.« |
