New hope has been given to sufferers of a hereditary disease affecting the retina after the first UK operations were carried out to implant so-called "bionic eyes" into patients, it has been disclosed.
Surgeons at Moorfields Eye Hospital have carried out successful operations to implant an artificial retinal device into the eyes of two blind patients as part of a clinical study.
The trial aims to restore a basic level of useful vision, in the form of spots of light and shapes of light and dark, to people suffering severe blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of inherited eye diseases that affects the retina.
The technology consists of a tiny camera and transmitter mounted in a pair of glasses.
The camera transmits a wireless signal to an ultra-thin electronic receiver and electrode panel that are implanted in the eye and attached to the retina.
The electrodes stimulate the remaining retinal nerves allowing a signal to be passed along the optic nerve to the brain.
The brain perceives patterns of light and dark spots corresponding to the electrodes which are stimulated.
The operations were carried out by consultant retinal surgeon Lyndon da Cruz and his team at Moorfields in London, under the supervision of US colleagues who developed the device with the company Second Sight in the US.
Mr da Cruz said: "Moorfields is proud to have been one of only three sites in Europe chosen to be part of evolving this exciting new technology."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article