An experimental device has been implanted behind the retina of
patients suffering from a form of blindness, allowing them to
detect a variety of objects using their own eyes. 11 people took
part who suffer from the hereditary condition retinal dystrophy,
which causes degeneration of the photoreceptors leading to
blindness in approximately 15 million people. Scientists,
including Professor Eberthart Zrenner, at the University of
Tuebingen in Germany, have worked alongside private company
Retina Implant AG to develop a microchip carrying 1,500
photosensitive diodes which are placed where damaged
photoreceptors would normally function. The diodes are connected
to an outside power source which is connected to the eye via a
cable that runs from behind the patient’s ear to an external
power source. When light hits the diodes they then stimulate
nerves that pass signals to the brain, just as normally
functioning photoreceptors would. Miikka Terho from Finland, who
suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a specific form o