Retinal Implant
One of the many causes of blindness is an inherited disease of the retina known as retinitis pigmentosa another is age-related macular degeneration. Clinical trials are being conducted, in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Artificial Retina Project, six DOE national laboratories, four research universities and private industry to create a retinal prosthesis to restore visual ability in those patients with these two conditions.
The goal of the implanted microelectronic retinal prosthesis is to restore the visual ability to read, recognize faces and to improve mobility in those patients with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Currently, there are two types of retinal implants in the study. They are:
- Epiretinal implant - placed on the retina
- Subretinal implant - placed behind the retina
Currently the prostheses allow patients, who could not previously see anything, to experience perceptions in light and to distinguish between certain objects such as a knife and a plate. Researchers would like to advance the technology so that patients will be able to recognize faces.