Innovative Device Restores Vision for Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The New England Journal of Medicine has published a European study on an innovative device that can restore vision to patients who have lost their sight due to age-related dry macular degeneration. This therapeutic breakthrough is the first of its kind in the field of artificial vision, allowing participants to regain the ability to read letters, numbers, and words.

Clinical Trial and Remarkable Results

The study was conducted on 38 patients across 17 hospitals in five countries, testing a retinal implant device called PRIMA. Moorfields Eye Hospital was the only site in the United Kingdom that participated in the trial. All participants had lost central vision in the treated eye before receiving the implant.

Dry macular degeneration slowly destroys the light-sensitive cells in the macula, leading to the erosion of central vision over time. In its advanced stages, known as geographic atrophy, it can lead to complete blindness in the affected eye. Approximately 5 million people worldwide live with geographic atrophy, and there is currently no treatment for it.

How Does the PRIMA Implant Work?

The procedure begins with the removal of the vitreous gel in the eye between the lens and the retina. The surgeon then inserts a microchip the size of a SIM card under the central retina through a small opening. Patients then use glasses equipped with a video camera connected to a small computer worn on the waist.

One month after surgery, the implant is activated. The camera in the glasses captures visual scenes and projects them as infrared rays through the chip. Artificial intelligence algorithms process this data and convert it into electrical signals, which travel through the retinal cells and optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals as images, allowing patients to perceive vision.

Success Stories from Participants

Sheila Irvin, one of the participants in the trial, said, “I wanted to participate in the research to help future generations, and my doctor recommended contacting Moorfields. Before receiving the implant, it was like seeing two black discs in my eyes, and the surroundings were distorted. Now, with training, I am beginning to learn to read again.”

The chip used in this procedure is developed by Science Corporation, a company specializing in brain-computer interfaces and neuroengineering. The device is a subretinal photovoltaic implant paired with special glasses that project near-infrared light onto the implant.

Conclusion

This innovation represents a significant step towards treating visual diseases for which there is currently no cure, such as dry macular degeneration. Thanks to this device, participants can regain central vision and the ability to read, improving their quality of life and self-confidence. Advances in this field may pave the way for new treatments for various eye diseases in the future.