Bionic eye offers vision of the future

Published on Wednesday 4 March 2009 21:18

A BRITISH man who lost his sight 30 years ago is able to see again after receiving a "bionic eye", it emerged yesterday.

The patient, known only as Ron, is able to see flashes of light and sort grey and black socks.

The 73-year-old said it was a "privilege and an honour" to take part in tests of the equipment, which is still in early trials.

Campaigners welcomed the development, but said there remained a long way to go before it became widely available.

The Argus II uses a small camera mounted on spectacles. It sends visual information wirelessly to a receiver fitted on the outside of the eye.

From here, the message is transmitted to an "artificial retina" consisting of an array of electrodes implanted in the eye. This stimulates the optic nerve and sends the image to the brain.

The bionic eye, developed by the United States company Second Sight, is being tested in trials around the world. So far, 18 patients have undergone the surgery.

Ron, whose surname was not revealed, was one of three patients to have the device fitted at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital. Seven months on, he said his life was being transformed.

He said: "They said let there be light and there was light. For 30 years I've seen absolutely nothing; it's all been black – but now light is coming through.

"It gives me grades of bright light to black and anything in between. I can sort out white socks, grey socks and black socks.

"It's a great privilege and an honour to be able to take part in an experiment such as this, hoping the outcome is going to be able to bring sight to people like myself who are blind."

Ron lost his sight in his forties due to the hereditary eye disorder retinitis pigmentosa.

Lyndon da Cruz, the consultant ophthalmic surgeon who carried out his operation, said the bionic eye was a huge step forward. "We are very encouraged by the trial's progress so far. The implants have been stable and functioning for six months, with consistent visual perceptions generated by the device.

"The trial remains inspiring in terms of presenting a real and tangible step forward in treating patients with total vision loss. But with more than two years of the trial left, these are early days and continued testing will be crucial in determining the success of the technology."

Gregoire Cosendai, from Second Sight, said the technology had to be improved but, within 50 years, it should be possible for people like Ron to read.

"Theoretically, people should be able to have reasonably good vision," he claimed.

Barbara McLaughlan, of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said: "We very much welcome the progress being made with this technology and are keenly following developments.

The possibilities are amazing."