Bionic Eye Implants Move Closer to Reality

Bionic eye implants may become a reality over the next couple of years.

Bionic eye implants may become a reality over the next couple of years after Australian researchers implanted an early prototype of the device in a blind woman who says that she can now see flashes of light.

Dianne Ashworth, 54, became the first woman to be fitted with the electronic device after losing her vision due to a condition known as retinitis pigmentosa. The implant was fitted by doctors at Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital back in May and was switched on by researchers at Bionics Institute in East Melbourne last month after she recovered from her surgery.

Routine Eye Examination
A comprehensive eye exam can take an hour or more, depending on the doctor and the number and complexity of tests required to fully evaluate vision and the health of the patient’s eyes.

The researchers said that the device is fitted with electrodes which is connected to a receptor at the back of Ms Ashworth’s ear and sends electrical impulses to nerve cells in the eye. They added that they will be working with Ms Ashworth over the next few months to determine how the brain interprets these electric impulses.

“The team is looking for consistency of shapes, brightness, size and location of flashes to determine how the brain interprets this information. Having this unique information will allow us to maximize our technology as it evolves through 2013 and 2014”, Bionics Institute director Rob Shepherd said.

Eye Redness
Redness of the eye occurs due to the dilation of the blood vessels of the eye. It can occur due to excessive straining or due to inflammation.

Source-Medindia

Amblyopia | Lazy Eye - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs Glossary
Amblyopia is the loss of one eye's ability to see details. Amblyopia is otherwise known as lazy eye.

Dry Eye - Symptom Evaluation
Dry eye may be due to a decrease in tear production, alteration of the tear consistency, or faster evaporation of the tears.