"A London hospital has hailed a life-changing breakthrough for blind people as a electronic eye implant helps patients to see again. People who lost their vision because of a common but untreatable age-related condition are now able to read thanks to the pioneering device. The tiny PRIMA system is just 2mm by 2mm and has half the thickness of a human hair."
"The world-first trial involved 38 patients across 17 sites in five countries, including the UK, France, Italy and the Netherlands. The procedures in the UK took place at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. All patients treated had a condition known as geographic atrophy (GA), which is an advanced stage of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD causes changes to the macula, the central part of the retina which plays a key role in sight."
"The tiny 2mm by 2mm chip which was implanted into the eyes of patients on the trial (Science Corporation/PA) Those involved in the study had lost the central sight in the eye being tested and had only limited peripheral vision remaining. Surgeons removed the clear, jelly-like substance from inside the eye in what is known as a vitrectomy. A trapdoor under the centre of the retina was then created, where the tiny 2mm by 2mm chip was posted."
An ultra-small PRIMA electronic retinal implant measuring 2mm by 2mm was placed beneath the retina to restore prosthetic central vision. The world-first trial enrolled 38 patients across 17 sites in five countries, with UK procedures at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. All treated participants had geographic atrophy, an advanced stage of dry age-related macular degeneration that destroys the central macula and can progress to full sight loss. Surgeons performed vitrectomy and created a small retinal trapdoor to insert the chip. Patients using augmented-reality systems reported perceiving letters, numbers and words, enabling reading, completing crosswords, and reading small prescription text. Teams anticipate potential wider clinical adoption, including on the NHS.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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