Electronic retinal implants that can help certain visually
impaired people see better are getting closer to reality with a
new MIT prototype (PDF). Engineered eyes a la Blade Runner
remain a long way off. But by replacing the function of retinal
cells, the implants could help provide a degree of basic vision
to those afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa or age-related
macular degeneration, major causes of blindness. Users would
wear special glasses fitted with a small camera that relays
image data to a titanium-encased chip mounted on the outside
surface of the eyeball. The chip would then fire an electrode
array under the retina to stimulate the optic nerve. The glasses
would also wirelessly transmit power to coils surrounding the
eyeball. MIT has been working on retinal implants for 20 years
as part of the Boston Retinal Implant Project. About 10 years
ago, researchers tested the electrodes on six blind patients,
who reported seeing cloud-like images when stimulated. MIT
scientists led by John Wyatt, an elec