A bionic eye to correct age-related macular degeneration

Publié le 21 Jul, 2015

Raymond Flynn, an 80 year-old man with age-related macular degeneration, lives in Manchester. Last month he underwent surgery at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He was given a bionic eye to restore his central vision, which has been deteriorating for 10 years.

The Argus II retinal implant used in this procedure converts video images taken by a small camera hidden in the patient’s glasses into minute electrical shocks transmitted to electrodes located on the surface of the retina. These shocks stimulate retinal cells, thereby allowing the brain to perceive light and contours.

 

Raymond Flynn is the first patient in the world with acute macular degeneration to undergo this type of operation.

 

Professor Paulo Stanga, surgeon and ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital describes Mr. Flynn’s progress as “remarkable”: “The first results have been a total success and I’m keen to treat more patients with age-related macular degeneration using Argus II”.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of diminished visual acuity in the developed world and affects between 20 and 25 million people around the globe.

Belfast Telegrap (22/07/2015)

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