High-resolution bionic eye
The first real, high-resolution, user-configurable bionic eye
For centuries, people have suffered with blindness due to many different reasons. Cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachments, and different types of diseases. Through surgery and modern medication allow for us to remove many of these issues from the patients impairment, it is evident that neither of these treatment plans will work for many, if not most of the presenting ocular diseases.
The Alpha IMS andArgus II is considered to be the newest high-resolution "bionic eye". This is a retinal prostheses works much like a normal functioning eye, by taking in light signals and translating them into electric signals that are then sent to the brain to where it can be translated into images. The article provides a quick video as to how this devise works. It essentially requires a microchip to be inserted in the eye between the retina and the sclera where damaged retina resides, and it reads the light signals that are entering through the pupil. Furthermore, there is a small dial that is located above the patients ear that allows to change the brightness.
I found this article interesting, because first, I have a huge interest in bionics, secondly, I have a large background in optometric and ocular sciences, and third, I have an appreciation for how the ability to see can change a person's life completely. The article also provides a video of one of the first patients reaction to the first time he saw his wife's face. He describes even how he could see the shadows present for the spacing between her teeth.
This article also suggests that although this bionic eye is not at the highest level of functionality, it is an excellent start to an exciting future.
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/149106-the-first-real-high-resolution-user-configurable-bionic-eye
For centuries, people have suffered with blindness due to many different reasons. Cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachments, and different types of diseases. Through surgery and modern medication allow for us to remove many of these issues from the patients impairment, it is evident that neither of these treatment plans will work for many, if not most of the presenting ocular diseases.
The Alpha IMS andArgus II is considered to be the newest high-resolution "bionic eye". This is a retinal prostheses works much like a normal functioning eye, by taking in light signals and translating them into electric signals that are then sent to the brain to where it can be translated into images. The article provides a quick video as to how this devise works. It essentially requires a microchip to be inserted in the eye between the retina and the sclera where damaged retina resides, and it reads the light signals that are entering through the pupil. Furthermore, there is a small dial that is located above the patients ear that allows to change the brightness.
I found this article interesting, because first, I have a huge interest in bionics, secondly, I have a large background in optometric and ocular sciences, and third, I have an appreciation for how the ability to see can change a person's life completely. The article also provides a video of one of the first patients reaction to the first time he saw his wife's face. He describes even how he could see the shadows present for the spacing between her teeth.
This article also suggests that although this bionic eye is not at the highest level of functionality, it is an excellent start to an exciting future.
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/149106-the-first-real-high-resolution-user-configurable-bionic-eye
posted by Chace Butler at 9:40 PM
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