The first bionic eye

Doctor Mark Humayun, professor of the ophthalmology and biomedical engineering together with experts from the Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California initiated the first bionic eye.

Bionic eye consists of a video camera at the dimensions of the haricot bean grain implanted in the eyeball. The camera is connected to an artificial retina, which transmits moving images to the brain by the optic nerve.

The invention gives blind people the ability to see and scientists say that it may be launched in serial production in 3-5 years. Using this invention at the institute where he works, d-r Humayun has already tested the first artificial sight system called Argus.

This gadget is connected to a camera installed in the eyeglasses which catches images that are converted into electric signals which are transmitted by wireless technology to an implant situated behind the retina. Electrodes from the implant decode the signal and create a rudimentary black and white images, transmitted by the optic nerve to the brain.

By now the usage of 10 electrodes has been obtained. Afterwards, at the second stage in is supposed to use 60 electrodes, which offer the patients possibility to see clearer images, but the specialists try to create the third implant with 1000 electrodes, which will offer face recognition.