A 72-year old woman from Honolulu, Hawaii who went blind two years ago will soon able to see again thanks to her new bionic eye. Surgeons at the Eye Surgery Center of Hawaii were able to successfully perform the operation and said that the woman was the first person to receive the bionic eye in the Asia Pacific Region.
However, the patient chose not to release her identity to the public. She suffered blindness due to a hereditary disease called retinitis pigmentosa says Mail Online.
"She'll actually start to see motion, actually start to see somebody walk into the room and be able to see different shades of grey," Dr. Gregg Kokame, the doctor who performed the operator explained.
However, the bionic eye will only help her see motion and many shades of grey. Dr. Kokame added, "She'll actually start to see e docmotion, actually start to see somebody walk into the room and be able to see different shades of grey."
The procedure entails implanting a microelectrode array to the surface of the retina and then it is connected wirelessly to a camera connected to a pair of glasses, reports ABC News. However, the woman may still not see clearly but in time, as technology will advance, she will have broader eyesight.
The woman's eyes will heal for about two weeks before the doctors can turn the device on. Dr. Kokame said that she will be able to see her family first because they are the ones present when the device will be turned on.
"She was in very good spirits. She's a very pleasant, very strong lady. She's looking forward to having the implant turned on," he added.
The device was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and many blind people are becoming interested of acquiring the device which costs $144,000.
