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New Bionic Eye Could Restore Sight Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - Ehud Rattner Home >> News >> Medicine   
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Researchers working for the Boston Retinal Implant Project have been developing a bionic eye implant that could restore the eye sight of people who suffer from age-related blindness. Although the bionic eye will only help individuals that were born with functional eyesight, the implant is expected to considerably improve their lives.
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The scientists explain that the bionic eye will be affective for individuals who once had sight, since their brain knows how to process visual information. The unfortunate people who were born blind do not have the neurological capability to process the data received via the wire. Furthermore, the optic nerve must be at least partly functional. Otherwise, the data will not be fully processed. For many individuals that were born blind, this is a problem as well, since their optic nerve has never been used. However, most of these individuals have a natural compensation mechanism, in the form of enhanced senses, such as hearing and touch.
The researchers note the device has some limitations, and it will not restore perfect vision. However, they are sure it will give people the advantage of having a general sense of their surroundings. Hopefully, the technology may enable people to recognize faces and facial expressions. "The thing is to significantly improve the quality of life for blind patients," said Joseph Rizzo of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, who has co-directed the project with MIT's John Wyatt since 1988.
TFOT has covered the discovery of the last retinal movement-detecting cell and the latest stem-cell research that has improved our understanding of blindness. Another article recently published by TFOT deals with mind controlled bionic limbs, which were designed to assist disabled people in their daily lives. Thirty six researchers joined collaborated on The Boston Retinal Implant Project, including scientists from MIT, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the V.A. Medical Center in Boston. For more information about the project, see the Boston Retinal Implant Project website. |
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is there any posiibility that in the future people who were born blind could be eligable to the bionic eye. and can it work for example on people who have R.O.P ? |
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| if you can still see a shadow can this help? | |||
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My aunt blindness was caused by diabetes. Is there any chance the bionic eye can help her? |
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i am a 25 year old male, i was born normal, but in my teenage years i damaged my right eye, is there any possible way for me to get more info and if there is a way for me to get my sight back, please contact me at 216-355-0909 or eglovan2001@yahoo.com with any info you might have. thank you very much, hope to hear from you soon, thanx. |
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| who cares about u peoples problems stop complaining | |||
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Is there a program that uses volenteers for the bionic eye research trials? I would appreciate any information on this subject, as I am blind, but not from birth. I had eye trama, a cornia transplant which was successful, but a problem with the pressure caused blindness. |
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This is fantastic and very interesting. Last I heard the vision is in 64 bit. That being said wasn't it only 16 bit at best a year or two ago. So imagine what the possibilities for this in 5 years? The ability to read normal or slightly larger print? How about COLOR in 10? Heck at that rate we are looking the possibility of improved vision beyond what an organic eye can perceive. Imagine what future this or other companies can provide. We have seen all frontiers from land, to the human body, to space. Now I think it's time to conquer them. |
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Hello I was wondering if there is somewhere I can find more information on this and the possiblity of getting some help for my uncle who has Macular Degeneration. Thank You |
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my ancle's blindness is cause by diabetes. can bionice eye help him to see again. if you have any information or where i can get more information please e-mail at c199022@yahoo.com. thank you so much |
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I have Retinopathy of Prematurity; I have only light perception and facial vision. Would I be a good candidate for this procedure? Please contact my mother, Pamela Bannerman, at: 910-231-9116. |
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i am a 21year old male who has had a detachment in both eyes. I am totally blind in one eye and limited vision in the other with a cataract.Is there help? |
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My father is a healthy 93. He has asked for the bionic eye since he first learned of it. So far, I understand it is not used for MDegeneration, Could this change? |
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My mother was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 1998, and now she is completely blind. She is only 70yrs old. My brother stumbled on your website and forwarded to me, please let me know if there is any way you can help her. We want her to see again. This is when she should be enjoying the fruits of her labor for 7 grown kids, but she could not even enjoy her son's wedding, and weeps because she cannot see his new wife or her grandkids. She says she sees shadows, but not actual objects,she says everywhere is white. We can do trials and all. Please let me know if there is hope at osagie19641@verizon.net or you can call me at 617-216-1955. I am willing and ready to meet with your office anyday, anytime. Best Wishes |
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My sister is suffering from retinitis pigmentosa since she was 6 years old and now she is 36. She can not see at all. Is there any cure? |
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How much would i cost someone to get a bionic eye. do you have clinical studies |
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My father has Retinitis Pigmentosa. His vision began narrowing around age 40. He still has a very small amount of vision. Can the bionic eye help him? He is now 78. How can we get on a trial list? |
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| I would like to know if this system may be used to glaucomas pacient? | |||
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my mother is 40y .in one of her eyes nerves are not working.doctor didnt say what,where the exact problem is .can you please suggest me any solution |
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| my daughter is suffering from optic disc pit.is there any cure... | |||
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The Bionic Eye This is an eye that helps people who are now blind, but could once see to see again. It only works with some types of blind people, depending on your cause of blindness. Basically it surgically implants a chip behind your retina, and transmits light images into the brain's vision system. Special glasses with a camera and a transmitter also have to be worn. Section 1: people and machines section 2: images, sound and presentation section 3: health |
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Please people, I know you are very desirous of a cure but please don't leave your name and phone numbers in the comments of this article. Fraudulent people can use your info to trick you and do cruel things. Please site admin erase these folks info. |
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| in 15 i just want a freaking bionic eye | |||
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Will the bionic eye, the retinal implant, help those who have early macular degeneration??? |
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My son has rod cone dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa and is gradually losing his sight. Will this device work on someone with his history??? |
