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Retina Implant Technology

Retina impant technology involves the use of microelectronics and microchip electrodes surcigally implanted into the back of the eye (retina) to restore the function of the damaged light-activated cells found there (photoreceptors).

These photoreceptor cells respond to light and convert it to an electrical signal which is passed to nerve cells in the eye, and then ultimately to the brain where it is perceived as vision.

A surprising finding is that in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa and Age-related Macular Degeneration where the photoreceptors have been damaged, often the nerve cells that relay the signal to the brain (the ganglion cells) are still intact after many years. Therefore, it is possible to directly stimulate these retinal nerve cells in these patients and produce signals that will be received by the brain and perceived as vision.

Scientists have looked at several different ways to stimulate retinal nerve cells including neurotransmitter release, magnetic, mechanical, or electrical stimulation. Most researchers are looking into electrical stimulation.

To work properly, current electronic retinal implants need to directly connect with retinal nerve cells, which are located above the photoreceptor cells in the eye.

Argus II Implant

Clinical trials are currently ongoing in eight centres in the US and four in the EU to test the usefulness of a 60-electrode retina implant called the Argus II. This device consists of an externally mounted video camera that wireless relays the signal to the implant allowing coarse vision suitable for assistance with mobility and reading large text. At present there are 22 patients implanted with this device, which has good stability and performance reliability.

The development of this technology was largely supported by the US National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE) Artificial Retina Project, which is helping to advance the implant’s design and construction. The company responsable for marketing the implant is Second Sight.

This implant is still in its experimental phase and is therefore only available as part of a clinical trial and there are specific critera for participating in this trial.

Please follow this link to view a YouTube video clip about this technology.

 

Fighting Blindness funded research project

FB06ALD -  Improvement of stimulation electrodes for retinal prosthesis through electrophysiological investigations with cultured retinal cells and isolated retina. 

Project leader: Mr John Alderman.

 

For more information, visit the following locations:

  • Artificial Retina Project - A number of researchers and institutions around the U.S. are collaborating with the Department of Energy on this project. (epiretinal implant)
  • Doheny Eye Institute - Dr. Mark Humayun at the Doheny Eye Institute is part of the Department of Energy Artificial Retina Project. (epiretinal implant)
  • The Ligon Research Center - The Ligon Research Center of Vision at Wayne State University includes an engineering laboratory,working on new biomaterials for the implant. They are also maintaining a list of people interested in Clinical Trials. (epiretinal implant)
  • Retina Implant Germany - One of the German consortiums involved in developing a retina implant, centered around the Reutlingen Group (subretinal implant)
  • Bionic Vision Australia - A partnership of Australian research institutions collaborating to develop an advanced retinal prosthesis based in Melbourne. (epiretinal implant)