Artificial retina will help restore vision
Last reviewed: 23.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Scientists at the RIKEN Institute have developed a unique method of treating hereditary degenerative eye diseases, which in most cases lead to a complete loss of vision. Scientists suggest introducing artificial retinal cells, which stabilize vision and help prevent blindness. Artificial retinal cells are planned to be created in the laboratory from stem cells, it should be noted that these cells are of the greatest interest on the part of researchers, since only stem cells showed the maximum rate of reconstitution of tissues or cells in the medium into which they were placed. Scientists consider stem cells as a way to treat a variety of diseases, and loss of vision is no exception.
Specialists conducted a number of experiments on monkeys - animals with poor eyesight transplanted retinal cells from human stem cells, specially grown in the laboratory. After a certain period of time, the researchers found that primates have well established human cells, and vision in animals gradually began to improve. In monkeys with congenital dysfunction of the retina, scientists also noted significant improvements after the start of treatment.
In the course of the work it was found that synaptic connections between natural and artificial retina cells are not always formed and the researchers decided to find out why the rejection occurs and whether it is possible to influence the formation of these bonds.
After scientists find answers to their questions, we can talk about the introduction of new technology in ophthalmological surgical practice.
According to Japanese experts, a new technology for the treatment of degenerative eye diseases will help people with hereditary disorders, which often lead to a complete loss of vision. After scientists thoroughly study the principle of new treatment, millions of people with low vision (or completely lost it) will get a chance to recover.
Another group of scientists from the Australian University offered to restore vision with a specially designed visual system that transmits signals directly to the brain.
Australian developers explained the principle of the so-called bionic eye: in different parts of the brain, small plates are implanted, which process signals received from an external camera built into special glasses. The signal from the camera is sent to the plates inside the brain, where an approximate image is created, experts note that people with an artificial visual system will be able to see almost as well as people with normal vision. It is worth noting that people with healthy eyesight reproduce an image of 1.5 million pixels, while the new visual system is capable of transmitting only 500 pixels.
Now the system of Australian specialists is still at the development stage, but scientists have already begun to search for volunteers who will take part in clinical trials.
[