Electronic Retinal Implants

What better gift than to see? Despite all thoughts on this mien, the notion of losing one's sight is unthinkable. Nevertheless, loss of sight does happen to some. As it is with many examples of new technology, lots of times we see what seems to be an unattainable technology in the movies. When it comes to blindness, the topic is well covered in cinema. But when we walk out the theater door, we walk from one stage onto another that is circumscribed by limitations.

However, in recent years, rather than resign oneself to the dark room of blindness, certain doctors might have you see things otherwise.

Vision Realized

Blindness may be caused by any matter of circumstance. In some cases it is as a result of some profound physical injury, such as a car accident. In other scenarios, blindness may come on slowly in the form of a degenerative disease. Depending upon the health and the receptiveness to further physical change, the eye be able to "see" once again - at least in some semblance.

With the advent of technologies such as thin-film photovoltaics and nanoparticles, some scientists have been able to make some headway in assisting people to help regain some eyesight. When it comes to partial eyesight restoration with the assistance of electronic retinal implants, several names stand out:

- Retinal Implant AG in Germany
- The Boston Retinal Implant Project
- The Shimizu and Yagi Laboratory of Japan
- Second Sight

In spite of the tremendous headway made by these organizations, digital restoration of eyesight for humans is still a vision of the future. Of the greater challenges that the industry leaders will have to face will be having to pass federal regulations allowing the use of new restorative technology in human beings.

How it Works

Of one of the more exciting methods for sight restoration, there is the option for applying an electronic retinal transplant. The retina is thin lining of tissue located at the back of the eye. It is comprised greatly of sensitive specialized nerve cells that detect light and color. These nervous receptors are generally classified into two kinds: rods and cones. Electronic impulses generated by light striking the sensitive nervous surfaces (that comprise the retina) travel into the brain. The collective signal impulses coming from the individual receptors on the retina create the entire image being viewed by the eye.

As a result of the degenerative forces to which the human body is subjected - more commonly from old age, disease, or physical trauma - the retina and its ability to detect and communicate images they break down.

Electronic Retinal Implants

To counter this, a common method uses an electronic retinal implant to help supplement the retina's ability to perceive light and images. Of one of the more specific applications is the use of photovoltaics. Photovoltaics are more commonly known in the household as solar cells. When light hits these flat light-sensitive surfaces, an electric charge develops and can be transmitted through wires to a battery or electrical appliance.

In essence the same principle is employed with an electronic retinal implant. Instead of using large-scale photovoltaic solar cells, medical scientists are still experimenting on the development of a tinier version of the same technology. An added challenge to the mere generation of electric current would be the ability to perceive color in some fashion, and have it be perceived on the receiving end of the brain as a color signal.

Workable, But Still In Development

Despite the marvels of modern technology, the restoration of eyesight is still greatly in development. While some success has been achieved, perhaps the greatest challenge will be in providing a visual experience comparable to that provided by healthy human eyes.

Resources:

http://www.retina-implant.de/en/doctors/technology/
http://www.bostonretinalimplant.org/progress.php
http://www.io.mei.titech.ac.jp/research/retina/
http://www.gizmag.com/retinal-implant-treats-blindness/8841/