Bionic eye becomes a reality

What was once science fiction, is now becoming a reality. Two blind patients were implanted with bionic eyes at Moorfields Hospital in London last week. They are among fifteen people worldwide, who are participating in a trial to test out the technique. If successful, the procedure will be available to other blind people.

A bionic eye implant involves attaching a small electronic receiver to the retina, at the back of the eye. The patient is then provided with a pair of eye glasses with a small camera and transmitter attached.

Once everthing is in place, the images picked up by the camera are transmitted to the receiver at the back of the eye. The receiver in turn stimlates any healthy retina nerves, which in turn sends the image signal to the brain via the optic nerve.

The technique was invented mainly for patients who had lost their eyesight as a result of retinitis pigmentosa - a condition that destroys the retina. However, it can be used for any kind of blindness as long as the optic nerve is not damaged. It is also not designed to restore perfect sight - but rather to restore basic vision, allowing blind people to be able to distinguish light and dark shapes and hopefully lead a more normal life.

Though it will be months before the results of this trial will be made available to the public, if successful it would provide hope for millions of people who are currently blind.