Wireless implant restored reading ability in 84% of people with advanced AMD
27 of 32 study participants regained their ability to read letters, numbers, and even full pages, after decades of irreversible blindness from geographic atrophy. A tiny wireless chip restored vision in people with advanced AMD Geographic atrophy affects 8 million people worldwide with a form of age-related macular degeneration that permanently destroys central vision. There is no cure and, until now, these patients relied on magnifiers and special eyeglasses just to navigate daily life. This week, we learned how the a new retinal implant system may significantly improve their prospects. The PRIMA implant is positioned in the subretinal space at the back of the eye, paired with special glasses that project near-infrared images onto the chip. The implant is powered by light that penetrates to the back of the eyeball, eliminating the need for batteries or wires. Of t...
