Australian scientists hope to have a prototype bionic eye built and ready to test on humans within the next year.
The bionic eye which we’ve highlighted before gives hope to people suffering from various types of retinal degeneration and works by implanting 98 electrodes (pictured below) into the retina to replace the damaged cells. An image from a tiny spec mounted camera is then relayed onto the electrodes in the retina. The signal is then passed through the optic nerve to the brain to all the person wearing to see the image from the camera.
Such complex work needs high-tech equipment and the lab in New South Wales has just spent $2.5mill upgrading their equipment to carry out the delicate research.
The technique rejuvenates the thin layer that lies behind the retina called Bruch’s membrane which provides nutrients to the retina’s light-sensitive cells, improving the removal of waste created as retina cells renew themselves. The procedure can be carried out in 10-15 minutes by and it is suggested that it could be used as a pre-emptive treatment for people in their 30s from families with a history of AMD.