In the San Fernando Valley area, a group of researchers are making significant headway into the fight against blindness as they unveil the world's first bionic eye. This FDA approved gadget is called the Argus II Retinal Prostheses System and is a state-of-the-art form of technology that is now helping give renewed site to blind people.
CEO of Second Sight Medical Products, Dr. Robert Greening, said that, "It's the first time that there's ever been a treatment that ophthalmologists have for patients who are completely blind." He added that, "the implant picks up the signal from the video camera wisely, and that electrically stimulates the retina at the back of the eye and produces the perception of light for these patients. The best patients have actually been able to read letters and even read words." HE added further that, "Our next generation product is aimed at putting an implant in the visual part of the brain...directly interfacing the brain to restore vision, hopefully to patients whoa re blind from nearly all cases."
According to the World Health Organization there is as many as 285 million people in the world that are suffering from varying degrees of visual impairment, with an estimated 39 million whose conditions have escalated to blindness. The WHO also says that about 90% of people who are visually impaired are living in low-income households, which makes the nearly $149,000 Argus II technology virtually inaccessible to the millions of people that it was created for. The company is, however, saying that this is temporary and that costs will eventually be more reasonably priced. Dr. Greening emphasizes that the potential that this type of technology has for making remarkable changes in the lives of visually impaired people is astounding and they are working towards making it more easily accessible to those who need it the most.