The Need for Solutions

With approximately 40 million people experiencing blindness globally and an additional 135 million living with low vision, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the urgency for innovative solutions cannot be overstated. Can bionic eye technology offer a feasible path forward?

The Mechanism of Vision

In a healthy eye, light enters through the pupil, and a lens focuses it onto the retina, a layer filled with light-sensitive cells. Photoreceptors convert this light into electrical signals that travel via the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets these signals as images. Disruptions in this process often occur due to degenerative diseases affecting the retina, creating an opportunity for technology to compensate for these deficiencies.

Bionic Eye Technology in Practice

In 2009, surgeons at Manchester and Moorfields hospitals in the U.K. conducted the first trial of the Argus II bionic eye for patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa, as noted by the University of Manchester. This groundbreaking device was implanted in ten individuals with vision loss, enabling them to recognize shapes and patterns. By 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval for its use.

Further Innovations

Bionic eye technology has seen continuous advancements. In 2021, researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC developed an advanced computer model that simulates the human retina, according to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). This model accurately represents the arrangement of millions of nerve cells, potentially enhancing color perception and image clarity.

The Phoenix99 Trial

Recently, scientists from the University of Sydney and UNSW conducted successful trials of the Phoenix99 bionic eye in sheep to observe the healing process post-implantation. The researchers reported no adverse reactions, indicating the device could remain safely implanted for many years. This research is a crucial step toward human trials. However, one challenge remains: the technology's bulkiness. Efforts are underway to develop more efficient power sources for these bionic devices. Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology in China and Northumbria University have created a low-power system to control the synaptic devices in bionic eyes, with lead professor PingAn Hu hailing it as a ‘significant breakthrough.’

How Bionic Eyes Function

To translate images into a format the human brain can comprehend, bionic eye technology employs a series of components.

1. Artificial Pupil: A camera captures images similarly to a natural pupil.
2. Receiver: Implanted behind the ear, it processes data from the camera.
3. Connection: The receiver transmits information to the back of the eye via a wire.
4. Bridging the Gap: The implant compensates for the lost function of the damaged retina.
5. Circuit Implant: This implant sends electrical pulses along the optic nerve.
6. Processing: The visual cortex interprets these signals, allowing the individual to perceive light, movement, and shapes.

Vision-Impeding Conditions

Various conditions, some related to aging and others hereditary, can lead to vision loss. Bionic eyes aim to ‘fill in the blanks’ between the retina’s perception and the brain’s processing of visual information, particularly in conditions that affect the retina. According to Tufts Medical Center, Retinitis Pigmentosa is one such rare genetic disorder that leads to the breakdown and loss of retinal cells. Another condition, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), blurs central vision as aging damages the macula, which is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead sight. Furthermore, bionic eyes could theoretically assist individuals with retinal damage resulting from physical injuries, as highlighted by Nature.

A Historic Milestone

The first recipient of a bionic eye was Keith Hayman, a grandfather fitted with the device in 2009, according to the Association of Optometrists. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in his 20s, he lost his sight over time. After receiving the bionic eye at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, he regained the ability to distinguish between light and dark and detect movement. Hayman expressed his joy, stating, “It means I can see my grandchildren for the first time. When they come around, they wear white t-shirts to help me keep an eye on them. I can’t describe much about their appearance, but I can at least see them coming!”

Exploring New Horizons

The first video showcases the arrival of Elon Musk's bionic eyes, detailing the potential advancements and implications of this technology.

The second video explores the concept of a smart bionic eye, highlighting innovative approaches to enhance visual restoration.