[Nfbf-l] FDA Approves Bionic Eye article from CNN

[Alan Dicey]

Dear Friends,Another Article, this one:
Posted in "the Matilda Ziegler Magazine ", from  CNN
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/health/fda-bionic-eye

    Feature Writer Ann Chiappetta - FDA Approves Bionic Eye

A new device that takes the place of damaged cells inside the eye has just 
been released that promises to help RP patients regain useable vision with a 
new retinal implant.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the Argus II Retinal 
Prosthesis System as the first treatment for the inherited disorder RP 
(retinitis pigmentosa) that causes the breakdown of cells in the retina. The 
device was developed by Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., located In 
Selmer, CA.  It was released in Europe in 2011, and now has been approved 
for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) here in the United States. 
Initially, the implant and camera mounted on a pair of glasses will only be 
available to a limited and carefully selected number of individuals, but 
Second Sight hopes to increase its availability in time.

The system is quite ingenious.  It includes a small video camera and 
transmitter mounted on a pair of glasses. Images from the camera are 
processed into electronic data that is wirelessly transmitted to electrodes 
implanted into the patient's retina, resulting in visual feedback.

Results from a study of 30 patients with the condition showed that most were 
able to perform daily activities better with the implant than without it. 
Activities included navigating sidewalks and curbs, matching different color 
socks, and recognizing large words or sentences.

Why hasn't developing this kind of technology come to us sooner? One expert 
says scientists have said that designing a bionic eye has been much more 
difficult than developing aids like cochlear implants for hearing, in part 
because visual information is two-dimensional, and because of the anatomy of 
the eye.

>From what I've read, the implant only enables black and white or high 
contrast resolution, and they hope to continue to develop implants to repair 
color vision and even the deteriorating effects of macular degeneration. Who 
knows, this may even get other developers to compete and provide more 
choices for those who want to use the device.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/health/fda-bionic-eye
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