Duke Eye Center is ready to offer a bionic eye to patients that will provide partially restoreed artificial vision. The bionic eye technology is called Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System and was designed by Second Sight Medical Products. The Argus II recently gained approval from the FDA and is ready to be put in use in the US.

The Argus II will help patients that have dead or damaged retinal cells. A small video camera mounted in the middle of a pair of glasses captures video and sends the information to a small computer that is worn on the patients belt which processes the video and sends the processed information to the implant in the eye. Electrodes use pulses of electricity to bypass damaged cells and send the information to parts of the eye that still work.

This technology does not completely restore vision for people with total blindness. To qualify for this device, patients must be able to perceive light and tell the difference between light and dark. Despite these limitations, the Argus II still has the ability to improve the quality of life of many people with very poor vision who have trouble doing things independently.

I found this article particularly interesting because it is so incredible to me that a sense as complicated as vision can be partially restored by man-made technology. The way the brain is able to actually interpret and make sense of unnatural visual signals is fascinating. Also, I believe that this advancement in artificial vision serves as proof that one day we will be able to create a new life for people who are born without vision or are blinded at a young age.

Link to article: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/04/3080796/duke-researchers-will-offer-bionic.html