It seems so unfair that people who suffer from hearing loss can now have cochlear implant to restore their hearing while people who are suffering from vision loss or low vision cannot rely on technology. Well, this may soon be a thing of the past as bionic eye has now been tested with grand success.
What is bionic eye
Bionic eye, specifically bionic eye implants, is different from the prosthetic eyes that are made to resemble the human eye at least in appearance. The prosthetic eye is purely for cosmetic purposes and obviously cannot see. A bionic eye on the other hand is functional. It means that it can see to a certain extent. Why to a certain extent? Because once the bionic eye is implanted, the brain has to relearn how to see again. The process of relearning and how the brain learns determines what the bionic eyes can see. Also, since it is not a real eye, the images are not as clear as one sees with a natural eye. However, one can see clearly the patterns, shapes and forms and as the brain learns more and more the image will become clearer over time.
How the bionic eye works?
The bionic eye uses glasses where a camera is attached on to. The camera captures the image or what one should see. The image is then transmitted via cable to a transmitter, also attached to the eyeglasses. Once received by the transmitter, the image is converted into electrical pulses. They are then transmitted to the electrodes implanted on the retina. The retina then sends the image to the brain.
Is it for everyone
Unfortunately, at present the bionic eye is not for everybody. It is only for those who have low vision or those who had lost their vision to disease but still have healthy retina, cornea and lens. The visual pathways of the brain should also be healthy. The bionic eye is not for those who were born blind. Seeing is something that we learn as we grow old. From birth to around two years of age, we learn to make sense of the images that our eyes capture. This is how we can see things around us. Individuals who did not learn to see will not be able to see the images captured by the bionic eye.
It will not be long before we can see the technology being fully developed. At present however, one bionic eye, the Argus II retinal Prosthesis System, is available in the USA. It is FDA approved and a number of people are already using it.
In most cases, vision problems can be corrected or treated. You may not actually need a bionic eye just to see better. Technological advances for improved vision and treatment of vision problems offer a lot of effective treatment that it is best to see an eye specialist. You can visit Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, a trusted LASIK or Laser eye surgery center in Houston.
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugar Land Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-33571412
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/bionic-eyes.htm
http://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/news/retinal-implant-bionic-eye-update-information-patients:
