In the most simplified terms, our human life is just a chance to experience the wonders of the universe. We are born with nothing and die with almost nothing. The only thing we have throughout life are the experiences we share, the memories, and the circumstances we face. And not having all the tools to experience this life is misery no one should have.
While we can’t control what happens to people, researchers around the world have found ways to help unfortunate people with their health issues to live happy normal life. While there are lots of important abilities a person wants to fully live life. One of the crucial ones is the ability to see.
Australia is pioneering in creating a bionic eye that can help restore capacity to see again for the people who have lost it. Melbourne with some university researchers of Sydney has been leading the research and advancing towards this invention. While it still needs a Lot of Effort to make this perfect enough, presently it can help people recognize objects and people in their surroundings with less fine detail.
As per a lot of ophthalmologists including David Robinson from Sydney and other parts of Australia, the bionic eye could be a better alternative and could show better results than gene therapy. As per the recent trials, 80% of them have improved visual activity and 40% of them in a significant way.
The Bionic Eye completes the visual experience of the person in 6 steps:-
- View: – A pair of glasses with a built-in high-quality camera takes the feed and captures the scene sending that to the mobile phone.
- Convert: – The mobile device processes the visual information and the result is sent to a neuro-stimulation chip that is surgically embedded in the top of the eye.
- Transmit: – A small antenna that is only visible behind the ears is responsible for transmitting data and power to the stimulation chip.
- Stimulate: – The chip then sends signals to an array of electrodes to the back of the retina and results in sequenced electrical impulses.
- Generate: – The electrode which is attached to the remaining retinal nerve cells creates electrical activity and hence produces visual information.
- Visualize: – The cell impulses then travel along the optic nerve to the visual cortex and get treated like any other signals from the retina. Although the density is low, the image can give a useful shape lacking a few fine details
With great support from the Australian Research Council who In their largest-ever single grant, awarded $50 million to the Bionic Vision Australia consortium for further development of retinal implants that can provide vision to blind patients suffering from retinal conditions. Sydney Residents, if you have some doubts or considering this treatment and want some more guidance you can contact David Robinson ophthalmologist in Sydney Laser and Vision center.
