A clinical trial using technology similar to that found in camera phones has enabled two patients who were previously blind to see light and shapes. This clinical trial was held at Oxford University eye hospital and King College Hospital in London and included volunteers who had no vision.
A condition called retinitis pigmentosa is responsible for the loss of vision, which gradually causes the photoreceptor cells at the back of the eye worsened. Later in this clinical trial, an electronic micro chip which has a 3mm square 1500 pixel light sensitivity set to take over functions of damaged photoreceptors and forwards the light stimulus to the retina.
Electronic signals from the chip sent to the optic nerve, which is then transmitted to the brain to interpret.
The chip works by giving brain a flash of light, so that users can see shapes in black and white.
At the beginning, the vision is still quite limited, but the shape, silhouette and light can be seen. A British patient that followed clinical trial was finally able to see for the first time using this tool.
Clinical trials are expected to be held up to 12 patients ready to implanted with this chip. Hopefully this can help many people who disturbed his eyesight to return can see again. Unfortunately, this technology can not be applied to other types of blindness other than retinitis pigmentosa
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